Do our brake lights signal brake usage or deceleration?

[EA500]

I'm pretty sure when the car approaches a stopped car and slows down quickly that it's using the brakes and not only regenerative braking.

I was wondering if the little brake lights on the little car on the dash come on, is the car using the actual brakes?

Does regenerative braking only, make the brake lights come on?

 

[GWord]

Deceleration. Taking your foot off the gas does not apply the friction brakes unless autopilot or AEB are active and reacting to something.

 

[jboy210]

The brake lights come on whenever you press on the brake pedal or the car deceleration exceeds a certain rate to account for regen braking. The DOT defines the rate for US cars.

The brake lights in the car depiction in the center binnacle come on whenever the brakes lights are illuminated. On later cars it shows the brake lights shining on the road behind the car, so it is quite obvious when the brake lights are illuminated.

 

[Saghost]

The lights in the image always match the lights on the actual car.

Those come on when the brakes come on, and also when the regeneration exceeds an acceleration threshold. That’s what the rules require.

 

[ewoodrick]

Yes, the lights come on when appropriate. Don't believe me, just look at the picture on the screen, it mirrors the actual lights. Much easier to see at night.