2008 Frontier pickup trucks sit at a Nissan dealership in southeast Denver. - File

TOKYO (AP):

Nissan Motor Company will soon sell cars that push back when drivers try to put the pedal to the metal.

The Japanese carmaker Monday announced its new 'ECO Pedal' system, which makes the gas pedal press upward when it senses motorists are speeding up too quickly.

Nissan said in a press release the system, which will be available next year, can help drivers improve fuel efficiency 5 to 10 per cent.

It calculates the most efficient rate of acceleration in a vehicle, based on how fast fuel is being burned, and other factors, and causes the gas pedal to push back to alert overzealous drivers. A special meter on the dashboard flashes and changes colours to help drive the message home.

Nissan says the system is designed to help drivers become more fuel-efficient behind the wheel. Part of the company's strategy for reducing carbon dioxide emissions is modifying driving behaviour.

Drivers can also opt to switch the system off.