The disappearing manual parking brake

The handbrake or manual parking brake or parking brake as we know it is heading into the history books. A common feature for decades, usually located between the front seats, the long lever is found on less and less new models as manufacturers switch to electronic parking brakes.

Rapid decrease in manual parking brakes
According to a study by CarGurus in the UK, just 9% of new models on sale today come with a manually activated handbrake. In 2018, the percentage of models on sale with a manual handbrake was 37%. Looking back at 3 years ago, car buyers now have 61% fewer models to choose from that come equipped with a manual parking brake.

No manufacturer offers manual handbrakes across its entire range. The brands that offer the highest percentage of models with a manual handbrake today are Suzuki (71%), Abarth (66%), Dacia (50%), Fiat (45%) and SsangYong (40%). This, of course, refers to the UK market which has many newer models than the Malaysian market though the trend would also be occurring similarly.

“This once universal feature is now largely reserved for smaller and more affordable petrol-powered cars, including the Kia Picanto and Mazda2. However, the reality is that there’s every chance we will see the manual handbrake become extinct on mainstream cars by the end of the decade,” predicts Chris Knapman, CarGurus UK Editorial Director. “It seems the writing’s on the wall for the fabled manual handbrake as the percentage of new cars equipped with one dips into single figures.”

“With the impending 2035 ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars [in the UK], we can expect that date to mark the end of the traditional manual handbrake,” he added.

The electronic parking brake, which began appearing over the past 10 years, provides  convenience for drivers as much less effort is needed for activation. Just hooking the finger under the small tab and lifting it up is all that is needed – compared to requiring a strong pull on a mechanical brake lever.

How does it work?
With an electronic parking brake, the piston that clamps the brake disc is operated via a switch that replaces the traditional mechanical lever. This switch electronically activates (no cables required) a pair of small motors which causes the rear brake pads to move and either clamp or release the brakes. Due to the way it works, an electronic parking brake self-adjusts and so requires less maintenance.

Besides the reduced effort (which would be appreciated by older people), electronic brakes also make possible some automatic operations such as hillstart assist or hill-hold where the brakes are on when on a slope and the driver can just drive forward (when the light is green) without having to release the brake.

For designers, electronic brakes obviously free up space that can be used for other purposes in the space between the seats. Additional storage can be provided since only a tiny space is required for the brake tab. In the picture above, the space incorporates a large touchpad for interacting with the infotainment system of a Lexus LS.

More expensive to repair
Generally, electronic systems are expected to be more reliable and lasting as they have little or no moving parts. However, in the event of requiring a repair, manual handbrakes are typically less expensive to fix than their electronic counterparts. CarGurus has found that, in the UK, repairing an electronic handbrake can be as much as three times the cost of a manual handbrake.

No more handbrake turns
Enthusiast drivers who enjoy the occasional handbrake turn or using the handbrake to lock the rear wheels and slide the car are certainly not happy with this development. As a result, they will have to use older cars which came with manual handbrakes.

Like inserting and turning the key to start the engine and manual window winders, the manual handbrake will be something that the older generation will tell their children about – and perhaps the younger generation will wonder why people ever tolerated such an inconvenient feature!