Where regenerative braking is headed
Predictive control, four-wheel regen and smarter battery interfaces are closing the remaining gaps.
You'll learn
- Explain where regenerative braking is headed at engineering level
- Read the numbers that define the behaviour
- Apply the idea to a real braking system
Overview
Regenerative braking is mature technology, but several active development areas promise to push real-world recovery efficiency and driver experience further over the next generation of EVs.
In depth
Three fronts of ongoing development
| Development | What it changes | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Predictive regen using nav/route data | Anticipates upcoming stops and hills before the driver brakes | Lets the powertrain pre-condition the battery and pick optimal regen strength in advance |
| Four-wheel regenerative braking | Adds regen capability to a second axle via a second motor | Roughly doubles the wheel force available for regen without exceeding single-axle grip limits |
| Smarter battery thermal management | Actively pre-warms or pre-cools the pack for an upcoming demanding descent | Keeps regen power available exactly when route data predicts it will be needed most |
Predictive systems that read map and elevation data can begin adjusting battery temperature and regen calibration kilometres before a descent or a known braking zone, effectively removing the SOC and temperature limits studied earlier from the equation at the moments they'd otherwise bite hardest.
Key takeaways
Remember this
- Predictive, route-aware regen control is a major active development area.
- Four-wheel regen roughly doubles available regen wheel force within grip limits.
- Smarter thermal pre-conditioning can neutralise the SOC/temperature limits that most restrict regen today.
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Regen at the performance envelope
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Capstone lab: engineering the full braking system trade-off
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