Most EVs have the option to easily switch between one-pedal driving or a more traditional setup that applies little or no regenerative breaking when the accelerator is released, allowing the car to coast instead, and uses the brake pedal for routine braking.
A few—including all recent Tesla models—exclusively use one-pedal driving, always applying forceful regenerative braking when the accelerator is released.
Teens can learn to drive safely with one-pedal driving, and they increasingly will as EV adoption picks up. But if your teen is a new enough driver that they aren't sure they'll like one-pedal driving, you may want to look at models that offer them a choice.
Does it have a way to limit acceleration & speeds?
EVs usually have a few driving modes to pick from, including ones that dial back acceleration and top speed. Some models include parental controls that can lock these more sedate driving modes in place.
The Chevy Bolt, for example, comes with what Chevy calls Teen Driver Technology. It allows parents to set a top speed, limit radio volume (muting it entirely if seatbelts are unbuckled), and it even provides a “report card” of a teen’s driving habits and any recorded high-risk events.
Some models have similar tools that aren't explicitly labeled as “parental controls.” Tesla, for example, allows drivers to lock in a speed limit and “chill” acceleration mode with a 4-digit PIN.
Is the range & charging speed a good fit for your teen?
How much range you want to give your teen depends on a couple factors, but ultimately, you know them best. Shorter range may help keep less responsible teens on a shorter leash—it's harder to take an unapproved road trip when you've only got 50 miles of charge—but might also increase the odds they'll get stranded. On the flip side, needing to plan around driving range and charging sessions ahead of time could give your teen a chance to build and demonstrate responsibility.
If your teen is driving longer distances, in addition to a larger battery, look for a model with DC fast charging capability. Even if they don't plan to use it, the option to add dozens of miles of range in minutes can be handy if your teen accidentally finds themselves low on charge and far from home.