What do you need to know about regenerative braking?
- Definition of regenerative braking
- Functions of regenerative braking
- Advantages of regenerative braking
Cars have come a long way since technology and innovation has come into play. Because of this, many car enthusiasts find themselves asking about innovative parts like, “what is regenerative braking?”. Knowing your car is integral to your effort to maintain and take care of it, so it is only natural that you are here now, researching about it. If you are one of those people with questions about regenerative braking, check this out!
Definition of Regenerative Braking
For some, it is not enough that their cars can move them to and fro their desired location. There are people who customize their car parts to get the most optimal performance from their cars. For regenerative braking, it is built-in the car that you choose. Regenerative braking is a mechanism that converts kinetic energy for use in acceleration that is otherwise wasted in normal braking functions.
This doesn’t mean that your car will suddenly ramp up in horsepower but this lessens the chance that your car will exhibit inefficiency on the road. This is mainly attributed to the energy stored that is lost when you hit the brakes. The car taps this stored energy from regenerative braking instead of the reserves that it has under its mechanism. This is what regenerative braking is.
It is also important to note that regenerative braking is usually found in hybrid or electric cars. One popular model that is equipped with regenerative braking is Toyota’s Prius.
Functions of Regenerative Braking
Once you have properly evaluated its effectiveness for your vehicle, you should consider the factors that can damage or increase the efficiency of regenerative braking. Driving conditions affect the functions of regenerative braking as well as the size of your vehicle. People who are more exposed to city driving can benefit a lot from regenerative braking since the stop-and-go setup calls for this type of function from a car. This is more sensible for drivers to have regenerative braking since you wouldn’t need it much in long drives.
You should also think about the terrain as a considerable factor for its function since driving uphill would not require you to hit the brakes more than downhill driving which will call on large amounts of energy from braking periods.
For vehicle size, regenerative braking is much more efficient for regular-sized and heavy cars because these models pack on momentum and kinetic energy for its performance. If you own a scooter or a small motorcycle, then regenerative braking would not be that effective for your area.
Advantages of regenerative braking
The pros of regenerative braking vary from vehicle to vehicle but once you have reaped all the benefits in the form of improved vehicle performance, you will be really grateful that you have this for your car. If you are thinking twice about regenerative braking as an effective feature of a car, then check out these advantages:
- Increases longevity and durability of braking systems
- Ensures fuel economy
- Maintains efficient battery charge
If you are aiming to get these benefits for your car as well, then check out models that have regenerative braking systems.
Key Takeaway
Regenerative braking will be a good upgrade for your journey on the road. With it, you would be ensured of an effective mechanism that will help your car run as smoothly as it can. Once you have a clear plan on which car you should get, ask your local dealer if it supports regenerative braking. This will be one of the best upgrades you can get.
