EV Moose Test Results Skewed by Regenerative Braking, Sparking Debate Over Testing Standards

Recently, the performance of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in moose tests has drawn attention. The moose test, conducted according to ISO 3888-2 standards, evaluates a vehicle's handling performance during emergency lane-change maneuvers. However, most NEVs are equipped with regenerative braking systems that automatically decelerate the vehicle when the accelerator pedal is released, producing a braking-like effect during testing and thereby influencing test results. For example, the Tesla Model 3 shows a difference of nearly 10 km/h in its moose test performance depending on the regenerative braking intensity setting. Because this system enables deceleration without pressing the brake pedal, NEVs often achieve better results than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles in these tests—though this advantage does not fully reflect the actual handling capabilities of the vehicle’s chassis or steering system. Currently, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is discussing revisions to the ISO 3888-2 test protocol to more accurately assess the emergency evasion performance of NEVs. These discussions highlight both the limitations of the current testing methodology when applied to NEVs and whether regenerative braking systems genuinely provide additional safety benefits in real-world emergency scenarios.