If you drive an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid, regenerative braking is one of the easiest ways to boost your car’s efficiency — and possibly extend the life of your brakes. But while many cars come equipped with this feature, not every driver knows how to use it to their advantage.
Regenerative braking works by using the electric motor to slow the car down, rather than relying solely on the traditional friction brakes. As the vehicle decelerates, some of the energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat is captured and stored back in the battery.
The benefits are straightforward: better energy efficiency, longer driving range and less wear and tear on your conventional braking system. But getting the most out of regenerative braking requires a few changes in driving habits.
- Coast whenever possible. The easiest way to maximize regenerative braking is to plan ahead. Instead of waiting until the last second to hit the brakes, lift off the accelerator early and let the car start slowing down naturally. Most EVs and hybrids will begin capturing energy as soon as you ease off the pedal, so the longer you coast, the more energy you can recover.
- Use one-pedal driving if your car offers it. Many newer EVs, like the Kia EV6, Tesla Model 3, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5, offer a “one-pedal driving” mode. In this setup, lifting off the accelerator slows the car significantly, often enough to bring it to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal. It might feel strange at first, but once you get used to it, one-pedal driving can maximize the amount of energy you reclaim — and make stop-and-go traffic much less stressful.
- Adjust your regenerative braking settings. Some vehicles allow you to change how aggressive the regenerative braking feels. A stronger setting means the car will slow down faster when you lift off the accelerator, capturing more energy in the process. If you’re comfortable with the sharper deceleration, using the highest regen setting can improve efficiency, especially in city driving where there’s a lot of stopping and starting.
- Avoid aggressive driving. Fast acceleration and hard braking aren’t just bad for fuel economy; they also reduce the effectiveness of regenerative braking. Smooth, gradual driving allows the system to work as intended, capturing more energy and giving your car’s battery a little extra boost.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, regenerative braking can recover between 10% and 70% of the energy normally lost during braking, depending on driving conditions. City driving, with frequent slowdowns and stops, is where regenerative braking delivers the biggest gains.
While regenerative braking can’t completely replace traditional brakes, learning to use it wisely can help you get more miles out of every charge — and make your driving experience a little smoother along the way.
The news and editorial staffs of Southern California News Group and The San Diego Union-Tribune had no role in this post’s preparation.
