Why can’t we convert cars to run on their own kenetic energy?

Question

Why can’t we convert cars to run on their own kenetic energy?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Kinetic energy is energy from motion. So a car at rest has zero kinetic energy and will not be able to get moving.

Some cars (Teslas, Priuses, etc.) are able to recapture some kinetic energy with regenerative braking. When you brake in those cars, it recaptures some of the kinetic energy and charges the batteries, which can be used to accelerate the car. But you need a hybrid or electric car to do this, because you need batteries to accept this charge.