In school I learned that braking is a waste of fuel as the kinetic energy transfers to sound and heat (which is effectively a loss, right?). So how does regenerative braking recoup some of that energy into the car’s battery?
In: Engineering
This isnt easy to ELI5, but I’ll give it a shot. Basically an electric motor can do two things. When you supply it with electricity, it spins. If you stop giving it electricity and spin the motor by hand, it creates electricity.
So when you’re stepping on the gas the battery is supplying power to the motor, but when you take your foot off the gas the forward momentum will drive the motor and create electricity. While its creating electricity it also creates physical resistance. That resistance works to slow the vehicle down or in the case of descending a hill, keeps the vehicle from gaining speed without using the brakes.
“Regenerative Braking” is misleading as most people think you have to use the brakes to get the effect when it has nothing to do with the brakes at all. Some people I’ve dealt with think it means their brake pads regenerate from use (I’m a mechanic btw).
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