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    In an electric vehicle; what is regenerative braking?

    • July 9, 2024
    • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
    • Category: DPN Topics
    No Comments

     

     

    In an electric vehicle, what is regenerative braking?

    Sub: Science and tech

    Sec: Basic science

    Context:

    What is braking?

    • Braking is the mechanism by which an automotive vehicle in motion slows down.
    • A vehicle moving faster has more kinetic energy than a vehicle moving slower, so the process of braking removes (mostly) kinetic energy from the vehicle.

    What is regenerative braking?

    • Regenerative braking is an energy recovery mechanism that slows down a moving vehicle or object by converting its kinetic energy or potential energy into a form that can be either used immediately or stored until needed.
    • It works by driving an electric motor in reverse to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost as heat during braking, effectively turning the traction motor into a generator.
    • During regenerative braking, the motor operates as a generator, turning mechanical energy back to electrical energy.
    • In addition to improving the overall efficiency of the vehicle, regeneration can significantly extend the life of the braking system. 

    How it is different from conventional braking systems:

    • Regenerative braking system  contrasts with conventional braking systems, where excess kinetic energy is converted to unwanted and wasted heat due to friction in the brakes.
    • Similarly, with rheostatic brakes, energy is recovered by using electric motors as generators but is immediately dissipated as heat in resistors.

    Does regenerative braking have downsides?

    • Regenerative braking  alone often doesn’t suffice to bring an electric vehicle to a halt.
    • It has to be used together with a conventional system that dissipates some of the kinetic energy as heat.
    • A regenerative brake can mostly be  beneficial for an electric vehicle’s energy-use efficiency in stop-start traffic.
    In an electric vehicle; what is regenerative braking? Science and tech
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