Using the accelerator instead of the brake!

[EVangelist]

One of the fun things I like to do if I'm coming up to traffic lights on a hill is to judge my speed in order to pull up just behind the car in front without using the brake, then pressing the accelerator pedal just hard enough to stop the car rolling backward.  Brake lights never come on!

However would this damage the car in any way or use a lot of battery?  In my mind, it's no different to the engine pushing against the wind when driving, there is a push-back on the traction motor overcome by pressing the accelerator and spending electrons.  The only difference here is I'm pressing the accelerator to keep the car at 0 km/h instead of 60 km/h or whatever.

Is this a geeky/dorky thing to do?

[Phoebe]

Can you do that in an ICE vehicle? I rather suspect you don't have sufficient control over the accelerator!  Does show how sensitive the LEAF accelerator is

[hieronymous]

Some of us have been around long enough to remember learning to drive in manual cars; for my driving test I had to pull uphill to a stop sign, stop (of course!), then pull away smoothly. Trying to do this without the handbrake was great practice. This was just like what you are doing, and it feels just the same to me in the Leaf now - it's a great feeling of control over the car.
Can't see any problem with it, but I use the handbrake unless it looks like the lights are just about to change.

[EVangelist]

Nov 13, 2015 14:19:14 GMT 11 Phoebe said:

Can you do that in an ICE vehicle? I rather suspect you don't have sufficient control over the accelerator!  Does show how sensitive the LEAF accelerator is

I think if you did try it in an ICE you'd burn out the clutch!  But if you haven't tried this, I suggest you have a go, you can control staying still pretty easily. The Leaf accelerator does provide very accurate control if you have a steady foot.

[gabzimiev]

you'll use more electricity