Regenerative and friction brakes together
How EVs blend the motor and the brake pads, and what that means for maintenance.
You'll learn
- Understand regenerative and friction brakes together
- Know which checks an owner can do and which need a professional
- Recognise warning signs early
Overview
When you lift off or press lightly, the motor slows the car and charges the battery. Harder braking adds the friction brakes. Emergency stops use both at full power.
In depth
Regeneration simulator
Braking simulator
Move the brake pedal and watch how the car shares braking between the motor and the brake pads.
Vehicle mass2100 kg
Speed90 km/h
Deceleration2.5 m/s²
Road grip80 %
Drivetrain efficiency88 %
State of charge55 %
Braking split84% regenerative
Regen 110 kWFriction 21 kW
Kinetic energy
0.18kWh
Recovered
0.13kWh
Range added
0.7km
Braking demand
131kW
Stopping distance
125m
Pad wear avoided
84%
| Situation | Motor (regen) | Brake pads |
|---|---|---|
| Lifting off | Most | None |
| Gentle braking | Most | Little |
| Hard braking | Some | Most |
| Emergency stop / ABS | Reduced | Full |
| Full or cold battery | Limited | More |
Key takeaways
Remember this
- Regen does most everyday braking.
- Friction brakes take over for hard stops.
- Full or cold batteries reduce regen.
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