Why is the brake pedal hard to press in an electric vehicle?
3 Answers
Electric vehicle brake pedal hard to press reasons are: 1. The vacuum in the brake booster pump disappears, making it difficult to press the brake pedal without booster assistance; 2. The booster pump also does not work when the vehicle is turned off. Simply try to restart the ignition and press the brake pedal firmly. After starting, it will return to normal. The brake is a mechanical braking device that can slow down the vehicle speed, also known as a decelerator. The car brake pedal is located under the steering wheel. Pressing the brake pedal causes the brake lever linkage to be pressurized and transmitted to the brake shoes on the brake drum, clamping the brake disc to slow down or stop the vehicle.
Last time I drove my friend's electric car, I encountered the issue of the brake pedal being too hard to press. After struggling for a while, I realized it might be due to a problem with the electric vacuum booster pump. Since electric cars don’t have an engine, they rely on an electric vacuum pump for brake assistance. If this fails, the brakes become stiff. Additionally, low or leaking brake fluid can also make the pedal feel hard, almost like stepping on a rock. Another possibility is rusted calipers or warped brake discs, which increase friction. It’s advisable to first check the fluid level and, if that doesn’t help, get it repaired at a shop immediately—don’t delay. With more electric cars on the road now, such issues aren’t uncommon. Regular maintenance is crucial, especially for the braking system. Check the fluid level monthly to ensure safety.
Last time I went on a self-drive trip with my electric car, the brakes suddenly became stiff and unresponsive on the highway, which gave me a real scare. Later, I found out it might have been a failure in the regenerative braking system, which normally assists the regular brakes by recovering energy. When it failed, braking felt extremely strenuous. Another issue could have been with the electric brake booster's circuitry—unlike fuel-powered cars that have vacuum assist, electric cars rely on electronic components to function. In the end, the dealership diagnosed it as a loose sensor connector, costing just a few hundred to fix. It's important to regularly maintain the braking components and not wait until you're stranded on the road to regret it.
