What is regenerative braking?
Regenerative braking is a system found in fully electric and hybrid vehicles that takes the energy when the vehicle brakes and feeds it back into the battery. This helps to recover lost energy, extending the EV’s range and the battery’s charge.
How does regenerative braking work?
When the driver applies the brakes, the regenerative braking system is activated. This can happen when the driver presses the brake pedal or, in some systems, when they lift their foot off the accelerator pedal. The vehicle’s electric motor switches to generator mode, converting the vehicle’s kinetic energy (the energy of motion) back into electrical energy. The generated electrical power is directed back to the battery, where it is stored for later use.
Regenerative braking is used alongside conventional brakes to ensure safety and effective braking performance.
Discover more about how electric cars work in our guide.
