How Does EV Regenerative Braking Work?

If you remember anything from your high school physics class, it’s probably that energy cannot be destroyed.

Imagine you’re driving a Toyota Landcruiser, and you hit the brakes. The kinetic energy propelling it forward must be transferred, so most of it dissipates as heat and is wasted – just like in any other internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.  

This story would be completely different if you were behind the wheel of a Tesla Model Y. In fact, regenerative braking is one of the features that makes driving an electric vehicle a smoother and more customisable experience. 

Regenerative braking is a system that is found in both electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) that recharges your battery when you brake, recapturing the kinetic energy and converting it to electricity to recharge the car’s battery. Whilst it depends on the driving conditions and model of EV, regenerative braking can save up to 70% of the energy typically lost in a regular braking system.  

The Process of Regenerative Braking 

Regenerative braking is activated when the accelerator is released, and the car switches from the power outlet gear to charging mode. Then, the electric motor creates resistance to partially slow the car, and more kinetic energy is generated. This is when the electricity is transferred to the battery. If the braking is harsh, the hydraulic braking system will also be engaged.  

However, the transfer from the wheels to the motor often rapidly slows down an EV, which is why the term ‘one pedal driving’ is often used, as the brake pedal might not even be needed. 

The State of Charge (SOC) should be between 10-90% when the regenerative braking system is used to avoid the battery becoming overcharged, and because the resistance in the battery is too great when the SOC is running low. 

Benefits of Regenerative Braking 

Given that the conventional hydraulic brake pads and rotors are used less often, there’s less wear and tear on these parts and the overall maintenance costs are reduced. With discs and other components often costing thousands of dollars to repair and replace, regenerative braking can help you save considerable money.  

Regenerative braking offers a more controlled deceleration, which enhances the overall comfort of your driving experience and increases the safety of driving by reducing the risk of skidding or wheel lock. Most importantly, regenerative braking increases your vehicle range, meaning that you’ll have to charge less frequently. When you do need to charge, EVOS Energy’s smart SB7 7kW or Fleet22 22kW chargers make it easy to schedule your charging sessions and reduce your energy consumption. 

Regenerative braking was first used over a century ago in electric trains and is now a key part of modern electric vehicle’s efficiency and reduced environmental impact, helping accelerate uptake into the future.  

If you have any questions about how to better manage your EV energy, reach out to our friendly sales team at sayhi@evos.com.au