Guide To… Regen

Unlike internal combustion engine cars, EVs are able to generate their own power through braking. This is known as regenerative braking, or “regen” for short.

The system works by capturing the excess energy produced when you brake or lift off the throttle by effectively reversing the motors, turning them into a generator. This energy is then stored and used when your vehicle next sets off – and, depending on the length of time you a braking for, this can add range to your car.

In fact, some models will start to regenerative brake when you lift off the throttle. Coupled with the lack of a need to change gears, this makes electric cars super simple to drive, requiring only a single pedal and the steering wheel to control.

Many models have multiple modes of regenerative braking to suit your personal preference, as it can be a strange sensation to feel a car braking for you in the first instance – but this quickly feels natural, just like engine braking in an ICE.

This is just another great example of the increased efficiency of electric cars, by recycling waste energy to use it when you need it most.

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