BEIJING, May 12 (Portal) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) has told China’s market regulator that it will roll out software updates to more than 1 million vehicles to enable changes to braking methods and more warnings before using accelerator pedals , the regulator announced on Friday.
The action is described as a “product recall” under Chinese regulations, the regulator added, but it’s not immediately clear if drivers may be required or entitled to return vehicles to Tesla for a refund.
Beginning May 29, the US automaker will be providing over-the-air software updates for 1.1 million units of its Model S, Model a Statement.
It said the affected vehicles did not allow drivers to turn off regenerative braking or provide enough warning if the driver pressed the accelerator too hard, which combined could increase the risk of a collision.
The update will restore the ability to turn off regenerative braking and warn the driver if he or she presses the accelerator hard, it said.
Tesla Chinese-made Model 3 vehicles are seen during a delivery event at its plant in Shanghai, China, 7 January 2020. Portal/Aly Song/File Photo
Regenerative braking saves energy when a vehicle is slowing down and feeds the excess to the batteries to increase range. Tesla had disabled the option to turn off the tech on vehicles manufactured after 2020.
Some consumers in China welcomed the technology, also known as “one pedal driving,” as it allowed them to bring a vehicle to a full stop without using the brake pedal.
However, others complained that it could confuse drivers and increase the risk of a misstep when accelerating.
Chinese police have been investigating an accident involving a Model Y car that killed a motorcyclist and a high school girl and injured three people when the driver lost control of the vehicle last November.
At the time, Tesla said videos showed the car’s brake lights weren’t on while speeding, and the data showed issues such as no action being taken to step on the brakes while driving.
Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Edited by Jacqueline Wong
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