Automobile Desk: Nowadays the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads is continuously increasing. People are liking them because of their environment friendly nature and low running cost. However, while buying an EV, there is a concern in every customer's mind regarding the battery and its range. To overcome this concern and increase the efficiency of the vehicle, vehicle manufacturing companies are using many modern technologies in it. One of these very effective technologies is 'Regenerative braking system'.
If understood in simple words, it is a system which reuses the energy wasted during the running of the vehicle. Whenever you reduce the speed or apply brakes while driving on the road, this system converts the remaining kinetic energy of the vehicle into electricity and stores it back in the battery.
When brakes are applied in conventional petrol or diesel vehicles, friction is created between the brake pads and the wheels. In this process, the speed of the vehicle slows down, but the energy generated from it is wasted in the air in the form of heat. Regenerative braking in electric vehicles prevents this wastage.
When the driver takes his foot off the accelerator or lightly presses the brake, the work of the electric motor in the EV gets reversed. Instead of pulling the vehicle forward, it starts working like a generator. Due to the rotation of the wheels, the motor rotates and electricity is generated, which is directly supplied to the battery.
This feature proves to be most useful in urban areas or heavy traffic. In cities, one has to slow down or stop the vehicle frequently due to red lights, jams or turns. Every time the brakes are applied, this system saves a little energy and sends it back to the battery. This not only improves the efficiency of the battery but also increases the overall driving range of the vehicle.
The option of 'One-paddle driving' is also available in many modern electric vehicles. In this, the driver does not need to press the brake pedal again and again. As soon as you take your foot off the accelerator, the Regenerative System automatically starts slowing the car. This makes driving much easier.
A major practical advantage of this technology is that it reduces the pressure on the mechanical brake pads. Since the motor itself does much of the work of slowing the vehicle, conventional brake pads wear less. This reduces the maintenance cost of the vehicle and prolongs the life of brake parts.
Depending on vehicle experts and driving conditions, this system can help recapture energy by approximately 10 to 30 percent. However, it completely depends on the kind of road you are driving on and your driving style. It is most effective when descending slopes or in traffic.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if the battery is already 100 percent charged or is too cold, then this system works to a limited extent. In such a situation, only normal mechanical brakes are used to stop the vehicle. Apart from this, regenerative braking is a supportive feature, that is, it definitely increases the life and range of the battery, but it cannot be a substitute for an external charger. Plug-in charging remains necessary to fully charge the vehicle.
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