WHAT IS REGENERATIVE BRAKING ?
Anyone who owns , or has driven , an electric vehicle ( EV ) may have noticed that , when braking , the mileage increases slightly — and we ’ re here to explain why .
The regenerative ( regen ) braking function was introduced to EVs to leverage kinetic energy from the electric motor when the car slows down . This is a feature that is leveraged both on the road and in racing — a critical characteristic that Formula E incorporated into its race format .
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Benefits of regen include less maintenance — as wear and tear on brake systems is reduced — and better efficiency , as more energy is sent back to the battery . So , how does it work ?
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Releasing the accelerator activates regenerative braking , switching the car from the power output gear to charging mode .
The electric motor creates resistance to partially slow the car . The kinetic energy from this process creates more energy .
Electricity from regen braking is transferred to the battery .
If braking harshly , the hydraulic braking system will also kick in .
12 [ Oct 2022 ] EVMAGAZINE . COM