Regenerative Braking

When an EV or hybrid slows, regenerative braking runs the electric motor in reverse as a generator: the wheels turn it, it produces electricity, and that energy flows back into the battery instead of being wasted as heat in friction brakes. This recovers a meaningful share of the energy normally lost in braking — improving efficiency and range, especially in stop-start city driving — and dramatically reduces wear on the friction brakes, which are used mainly for hard stops. Its strength is usually adjustable and underpins one-pedal driving. Conventional friction brakes still operate alongside it for strong braking and for when the battery is full or cold and can't accept the charge.