What is regenerative braking and how does it work?

How does regenerative braking work?

In most vehicles, regen braking works automatically, converting the car’s kinetic energy into electricity when you ease off the accelerator.

However, some cars offer additional ways to engage regenerative braking. For example, certain vehicles come with paddles behind the steering wheel that can be used to increase or decrease regenerative braking. 

In other cases, the regenerative brakes engage automatically when you apply the regular brake pedal, working in tandem with traditional friction brakes to slow the car down.

For some cars, regenerative braking can even be activated while coasting, allowing for what’s often called "one-pedal driving", more on that later.

How does the process work?

In a hybrid or electric car, the electric motor both drives the wheels and powers the vehicle. When regenerative braking is engaged:

1. The motor stops powering the wheels.
2. Simultaneously, the motor reverses its function to slow down the vehicle.
3. It then switches roles to act as a generator, converting the kinetic energy from the moving wheels into electricity. This electricity is fed back into the battery, helping to replenish its charge.