Instant torque, heavier batteries: What Malaysian motorists need to know before driving an EV

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Electric vehicles (EVs) may look and feel like conventional cars, but motorists switching to them need to get used to a different driving experience, from how quickly they accelerate to how they slow down when the accelerator is released.

Unlike petrol or diesel cars, which rely on an engine building up revolutions and changing gears to deliver power, EVs can produce strong torque from low speeds, allowing them to accelerate almost immediately.

While this makes EVs responsive and smooth to drive, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) said motorists unfamiliar with the technology could underestimate how quickly their vehicles pick up speed, particularly when pulling out of junctions, navigating roundabouts or manoeuvring in parking areas.

Miros research officer Mohd Firdaus Mohd Siam said instant torque was a normal characteristic of electric motors, but did not mean every EV was necessarily fast or difficult to control.

“Instant torque does not make every EV fast or hard to control, as performance depends on motor output, vehicle weight, gearing, traction, and drive mode.

“It is important to distinguish between torque, acceleration, and speed: torque is rotational force, acceleration is the change in velocity, and speed is how fast the vehicle moves. Acceleration is shaped by tyre grip, vehicle mass, and driver input, not torque alone,” he said.

Why does an EV accelerate differently from an ICE vehicle?

In a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, power delivery is tied to engine revolutions and gearbox response, whereas an electric motor can deliver torque from very low speeds.

This means motorists may experience a more immediate response when pressing the accelerator, particularly when moving away from traffic lights or joining faster-moving traffic.

Firdaus said new EV users could sometimes press the accelerator more than intended, resulting in sharper take-offs and leaving them less time and distance to react to hazards.

“Rapid acceleration reduces the time and distance available to detect hazards and respond, while aggressive throttle use on bends or wet roads can exceed tyre traction and trigger wheel slip or stability control.

“Over-application of the accelerator should not be confused with pressing the wrong pedal, and current evidence does not show EVs have higher crash rates than conventional cars,” he said.

He advised new owners to familiarise themselves with their vehicles, practise smooth starts and stops in low-traffic areas and initially use Normal or Eco driving modes rather than Sport mode.

Prof Zambri Harun, a professor of fluid mechanics at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, said EV drivers could also improve battery efficiency by avoiding unnecessary acceleration and deceleration.

“EV users tend not to apply the brakes unnecessarily, and similarly not to accelerate aggressively, because of the regenerative braking system most vehicles have.

“The more one drives with unnecessary accelerations and decelerations, the faster the battery is exhausted,” he said.

Are EVs more difficult to stop because they are heavier?

Another difference motorists should understand is vehicle weight, as EV battery packs often make them heavier than comparable petrol or diesel models.

The additional mass means more energy is involved when a vehicle is moving, and greater force is required to bring it to a stop.

However, Firdaus said motorists should not automatically assume that heavier EVs have longer stopping distances or perform worse than conventional cars.

“Extra weight matters for braking and handling, but it does not automatically mean that EVs stop more slowly or perform worse in wet conditions.

“Stopping distance depends on many factors, including tyre grip, brake design, and electronic controls, not just vehicle mass,” he said.

He said heavier vehicles placed greater demands on brakes and tyres, making proper maintenance particularly important.

Prof Law Teik Hua, director of the Road Safety Research Center (RSRC) at Universiti Putra Malaysia, similarly said modern braking systems were designed to accommodate the additional mass of EVs, although motorists should still maintain sufficient distance from vehicles ahead.

“Heavier EVs require stronger force to decelerate to a standstill relative to their lighter counterparts travelling at comparable velocities.

“Stopping distances depend on multiple variables, including speed, tyre condition, road surface quality, braking system efficacy, and driver reaction times,” he said.

Law said stopping distances increased significantly at higher speeds, making early braking and cautious speed management important.

He also pointed out that EV batteries were often mounted low in the vehicle, lowering its centre of gravity and potentially reducing body roll during cornering.

However, this does not eliminate the need for careful driving, as tyre grip, suspension and road conditions continue to determine how well a vehicle handles.

What happens when you release the accelerator?

One feature that can take some getting used to is regenerative braking, which allows an EV to recover some of its kinetic energy when slowing down.

In conventional cars, braking generally relies on friction between the brake pads and discs to slow the wheels, converting the vehicle's kinetic energy into heat.

In an EV, the electric motor can act as a generator during deceleration, converting some of the vehicle's movement into electricity that is returned to the battery.

Depending on the model and settings, motorists may notice the vehicle slowing down when they lift their foot off the accelerator, a feature commonly associated with one-pedal driving.

Firdaus said regenerative braking did not replace conventional friction brakes, which remained essential for stronger deceleration and emergency stops.

“In many models, the system blends both types automatically when the driver presses the brake pedal. How much slowing happens when the accelerator is released depends on the vehicle and its settings.

“Some EVs offer adjustable regeneration or one-pedal driving, where the accelerator controls both speeding up and slowing down. This feature is not universal, and drivers should check the owner’s manual to understand how their car behaves,” he said.

He cautioned that regenerative braking could also vary depending on the battery's state of charge, temperature and system limitations, meaning drivers should not assume the vehicle would always slow down at the same rate.

For emergency situations, motorists should press the brake pedal firmly rather than rely on regenerative braking alone.

What should EV drivers know about driving in the rain?

Malaysia's frequent rainfall presents another challenge, particularly when motorists are unfamiliar with how their vehicles respond to slippery roads.

Firdaus said rain reduced tyre grip and visibility, while standing water could cause aquaplaning, where tyres lose contact with the road surface.

He said stopping distances in wet conditions could be double those on dry roads, regardless of whether the vehicle was electric or petrol-powered.

“Drivers should slow down before bends, avoid sudden steering or braking, and leave extra space between vehicles.

“Systems like ABS and stability control help, but they cannot overcome the limits of tyre grip,” he said.

Law similarly advised motorists to extend following distances, use gentle acceleration and avoid abrupt manoeuvres, particularly when overtaking or changing lanes in heavy rain.

He also stressed the importance of keeping tyres properly inflated and ensuring they had sufficient tread depth.

Both experts advised motorists against driving through flooded areas of unknown depth, as water immersion could pose risks to vehicle occupants and electrical components.

What should first-time EV drivers do before hitting the road?

For motorists switching from conventional cars, Firdaus said the first step should be to understand the vehicle's controls and obtain a proper handover from the dealer.

This includes learning how to operate the gear selector, parking brake, accelerator modes, regenerative braking settings, dashboard warnings and charging controls.

Miros' Safety Guide for Road Users and Public Concerning Electrified Vehicle Incident Management (MyEVIM) also recommends that owners receive a vehicle safety briefing and product familiarisation from an authorised dealer.

Firdaus advised motorists to begin with gentle acceleration and braking in a safe area before entering busy traffic, while paying particular attention to how their vehicles respond when the accelerator is released.

He also urged EV owners to check tyre pressures, tread depth and any visible damage, while ensuring tyres had the correct size, load and speed ratings.

Another consideration is that EVs are quieter at low speeds, meaning motorists should remain alert to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists who may not hear an approaching vehicle.

Owners should also keep factory-fitted pedestrian alert systems active and avoid relying too heavily on driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control and lane support.

Practical precautions for new EV drivers

Safe driving depends on the driver's skills, the condition of the vehicle, the road environment and proper use of technology. MyEVIM guidance stresses that drivers should combine defensive driving habits with an understanding of their EV's specific features.

Before entering traffic, drivers should read the owner's manual and request a proper handover from the dealer. They should also understand the vehicle's charging requirements and use appropriate charging equipment installed by qualified professionals.

Tyres should be checked regularly for pressure, tread depth and damage, with motorists following the manufacturer's recommended specifications. Brakes, lights, wipers and stability or traction-control systems should also be maintained according to service schedules.

Driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control and lane support should be treated as aids rather than substitutes for attentive driving, while distractions such as mobile phone use should be avoided.

If an incident occurs, drivers should move occupants to safety, avoid high-voltage components and call 999, clearly identifying the vehicle as an EV. MyEVIM provides specific emergency guidance that should be followed alongside instructions from emergency responders.