Summary: After Tesla’s adjustable regenerative braking returned via OTA in 2023, the new Model Y ships with a default setting close to the coasting feel of a fuel car. This article breaks down the setting path, the difference between Standard and Low, and the requirements of the 2026 new national standard, with clear conclusions: existing owners can choose Standard without hesitation, fuel-car trade-in users should adapt with Low first, and new owners should follow the recommended setting. FAQ included.
🔋 Two adjustable levels · 🚗 Fuel-car coasting feel · ⚙️ OTA return · 📋 2026 new national standard · 🛑 CRBS cooperative braking
Tesla’s adjustable regenerative braking is an option restored to the settings menu after the 2023 OTA update; the new Model Y’s default state has been adjusted to a coasting experience close to that of a fuel car. After the 2026 new national standard took effect, Creep mode became the factory default, and users can still manually switch between Standard and Low. The conclusion is direct: existing owners can choose Standard without hesitation, fuel-car trade-in users should adapt with Low first, and new owners can simply follow the vehicle’s recommendation.
01 From Forced Removal to the Return of Options: Which Level Should Your Car Actually Use?
Early Teslas allowed owners to set regenerative braking strength themselves, but a later OTA removed it directly and switched to adaptive regenerative braking force. This change drew opposition from a large number of owners. The 2023 update finally brought the regenerative braking option back—technically not complicated, but it went through a long period of user pushback.
The setting path on the new Model Y is straightforward: in the Dynamics options of the vehicle control menu, find the regenerative braking item and switch between Standard and Low. One owner who had just taken delivery reported that after setting regenerative braking to Standard, they nearly felt sick—this says a lot: the physical difference between Standard and Low is quite obvious, and choosing the wrong level is not a trivial matter.
| Level | Behavior when releasing the accelerator | Regeneration strength | Efficiency | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Noticeable deceleration, close to one-pedal logic | Strong regeneration | Higher efficiency | Existing owners used to one-pedal mode |
| Low | Coasts like a fuel car | Weak regeneration | Efficiency decreases accordingly | New users transitioning from fuel cars |
The logic of the Low level is to let the vehicle coast like a fuel car, significantly weakening regeneration strength, but efficiency decreases accordingly. The Standard level maintains strong regeneration similar to one-pedal mode, suitable for users already used to that logic, with higher regeneration efficiency. The new Model Y’s default state is already close to a fuel-car experience, which is very friendly for users who do not want to develop a one-pedal habit on a Tesla and may experience more models in the future.
💡Editorial recommendation: The new Model Y is already equipped with the CRBS cooperative regenerative braking system, where the brake pedal and regenerative braking work together, so energy recovery also occurs when braking, making deceleration more linear. This means that even if you choose Low, the range loss in daily commuting is within a controllable range, and you do not need to force yourself to adapt to Standard just to save electricity.
02 After the New National Standard Takes Effect, Can One-Pedal Mode Still Be Used?
Starting in 2026, several national standards involving braking systems officially took effect, imposing clear regulatory requirements on regenerative braking for new energy vehicles. GB 21670-2025, Technical Requirements and Test Methods for Passenger Car Braking Systems, officially took effect on January 1, 2026, with a key provision on regenerative braking: when the deceleration produced by regenerative braking is greater than 1.3 m/s², the brake lights must automatically illuminate and remain on until deceleration ends. This requirement ended the previously inconsistent brake-light trigger logic across brands.
The draft for comments of the Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety further limits the deceleration after releasing the accelerator pedal, stipulating that in D gear, the vehicle’s braking deceleration after releasing the accelerator must not exceed 0.8 m/s². This value is far below Tesla’s previous maximum regenerative braking deceleration of about 2 m/s², meaning brands will need to adjust regeneration strategies and reduce default regeneration strength in the future.
Notes on switching levels
- After switching from Standard to Low, the perceived braking distance changes; adapt for a few minutes on a safe road section first.
- In Low, coasting distance becomes longer, so anticipate earlier when following other vehicles.
- New owners are advised to adapt with Low first, then decide whether to switch to Standard based on habit.
The new national standard places clear limits on the default state of one-pedal mode: if regenerative braking offers multiple modes, it must reset to the default mode each time the vehicle is started; releasing the accelerator must not decelerate the vehicle to a stop, meaning the brake pedal must be pressed for a full stop. This requirement applies to models newly applying for type approval from January 1, 2027. After the 2026 passenger car braking national standard took effect, the one-pedal mode of new energy vehicles was adjusted to be off by default, while retaining the core regenerative braking function.
Tesla’s 2026 new Model Y has already set the factory-default regenerative braking to a very fuel-like experience, greatly weakening the drag feel; users can still manually switch to strong regenerative braking to enable one-pedal driving, but must reselect it after each power-up. BYD, XPeng, Tesla, and other mainstream automakers have all completed product optimization in accordance with the new national standard.
03 Comparison of Regenerative Braking Adjustment Across Mainstream Brands: Where Does Tesla Rank?
In terms of adjustment flexibility, NIO offers three adjustable levels plus a smart mode, covering the full spectrum from a near-fuel-car experience to aggressive one-pedal driving; BYD, XPeng, and Li Auto adopt three-level designs, balancing choice richness and ease of operation.
Tesla (two levels) Standard/Low NIO (three levels + smart) Low/Medium/High BYD (three levels) Comfort/Standard/Sport XPeng (three levels) Three adjustable levels
Differences in system integration are also worth noting. In July 2025, Tesla’s new Model Y was upgraded with the CRBS cooperative regenerative braking system, enabling the brake pedal and regenerative braking to work together. By comparison, BYD, NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto all use CRBS systems, which can also recover energy when braking, providing a more linear deceleration experience.
Non-decisive point: Tesla is less rich than NIO and BYD in the number of adjustable levels, but the two-level design covers the two most core needs—strong regeneration and fuel-car coasting feel—and the operation path is direct enough. For most users, two levels are already sufficient.
04 How Should Different Groups Choose? Three Sentences to Explain
Existing owners / one-pedal habitual users (choose Standard without hesitation)
Standard maintains strong regeneration, with noticeable deceleration when releasing the accelerator and higher recovery efficiency; city commuting saves a lot on brake pads. Users already used to one-pedal logic do not need to change their driving habits.
Fuel-car trade-in users (adapt with Low first)
Low coasts like a fuel car with weak regeneration; efficiency decreases, but the adaptation cost is zero. The new Model Y’s factory default is already close to this state, so users no longer go through an adaptation period of feeling seasick in the car.
New car owners (follow the vehicle’s recommendation)
The new national standard requires resetting to the default mode after each power-up, so just follow the recommended value. Enable Sentry Mode by location, keep tire pressure at 2.7 bar per the nameplate, and set the daily charge limit to 80%.
FAQ
Where do I set Tesla’s adjustable regenerative braking?
In the Dynamics options of the vehicle control menu, find the regenerative braking item and switch between Standard and Low. The setting path is the same on the new Model Y; some versions require operating in the Pedals & Steering menu. It must be reselected after each power-up, which is a requirement of the new national standard.
Which regenerative braking level is the default on the new Model Y?
The new Model Y ships with a default setting close to the coasting experience of a fuel car, with drag significantly reduced. The 2026 model defaults to Creep mode, and users can manually switch to Standard to enable strong regenerative braking. The default setting is very friendly to people new to electric vehicles.
Will setting regenerative braking to Low damage the car or battery?
No. Regenerative braking is a designed part of Tesla vehicles; Low only weakens the regeneration strength and efficiency decreases accordingly, but it does not damage the vehicle or battery. Using Low for daily commuting is completely fine; switch back to Standard temporarily before a long trip.
Can one-pedal mode still be used in the future?
Yes, but it must be manually selected after each power-up. The new national standard requires that releasing the accelerator must not decelerate the vehicle to a stop, and the brake pedal must be pressed for a full stop. Tesla still retains the strong regeneration option in Standard, only the default state has changed to Creep mode.
Source: Sina Guancha (Sina News)
Original source account: New Car Real-World Test & Analysis
Original publication time: 2026-10-23 20:22:42 (Beijing time)
Original link: https://www.sina.cn/gc/article/niwfmnn1900026.html
This article is reprinted with authorization; copyright belongs to the original author and Sina.
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