1. Vehicle Deceleration: When the driver presses the brake pedal or releases the accelerator pedal in an electric or hybrid vehicle equipped with regenerative braking, the vehicle begins to decelerate.
2. Electric Motor Reversal: As the vehicle decelerates, the electric motor on the vehicle changes its operating mode. Instead of drawing power from the battery to rotate the wheels, it begins to operate as a generator.
3. Energy Capture: As the electric motor rotates due to the momentum of the vehicle, it turns the generator connected to it. This process converts mechanical energy from the vehicle's motion into electrical energy.
4. Voltage Production: The rotating generator produces an electric current, which in turn generates voltage. This voltage is increased to match the voltage level of the vehicle's high-voltage battery.
5. Battery Charging: The electric current produced by the regenerative braking process flows into the vehicle's battery. This charges the battery, storing the captured energy for later use.
6. Reduced Brake Wear: Regenerative braking also reduces wear on the vehicle's mechanical brakes by sharing some of the deceleration tasks. When the vehicle slows down using regenerative braking, less mechanical braking is required, extending the lifespan of brake components such as brake pads and rotors.
7. Automatic Functioning: Regenerative braking works seamlessly and automatically as part of the vehicle's overall braking system. It activates whenever the driver steps on the brake pedal or lifts off the accelerator and does not require any special driver actions.
The amount of energy recovered through regenerative braking can vary depending on several factors, including the vehicle's speed, the rate of deceleration, and the efficiency of the regenerative braking system. However, it's a significant feature that helps electric and hybrid vehicles improve energy efficiency and extend the driving range between charging sessions.
