Recuperation in electric vehicles: Efficient energy recovery

Recuperation is a central aspect of modern electric vehicles, which not only improves efficiency but also increases range. But what exactly is behind the term, and how do both electric cars and light electric commercial vehicles benefit from this technology?

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What is Recuperation?

The term recuperation comes from Latin and means "recovery." In electromobility, recuperation describes the ability to recover energy during braking and return it to the vehicle battery.

Instead of losing the braking energy in the form of heat, it is converted into electrical energy and stored. This recovered energy can then be used to power the vehicle, which increases the overall range and reduces energy consumption.

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How does recuperation work in electric vehicles?

In an electric vehicle, recuperation is carried out by the electric motor, which acts as a generator when braking or coasting. The motor converts the kinetic energy generated during braking into electrical energy. This energy is then fed into the battery.

Depending on the vehicle model and driving conditions, recuperation can make a significant contribution to the overall range – especially in urban traffic, where frequent braking and stopping make recuperation particularly effective.

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Recuperation for increasing efficiency.

Recuperation plays a crucial role in the efficiency and range of electric vehicles. Especially in stop-and-go traffic and when driving in hilly terrain, the recovered energy can significantly contribute to extending the range. Modern electric vehicles often offer different recuperation levels that the driver can manually adapt to the respective driving situation – from gentle deceleration to "one-pedal driving," where the vehicle brakes sharply as soon as the accelerator pedal is released.

Recuperation also increases the operating times without recharging for commercial vehicles, which are frequently used in urban areas or on construction sites, due to the frequent braking, and reduces wear on the mechanical brakes, which leads to lower maintenance costs and extends the service life of the vehicles.

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Advantages of recuperation for electric vehicles

Recuperation offers a number of advantages that are important for both private and commercial users of electric vehicles:

• Increased range: By recovering braking energy, the range of an electric vehicle, whether a car or a light commercial vehicle, can be significantly increased.
• Reduced energy consumption: Recuperation helps to reduce energy consumption because less energy from external sources is required to charge the battery.
• Lower brake wear: Since the mechanical brakes are subjected to less stress, maintenance costs are reduced and the service life of the brakes is extended.
• Improved driving comfort: Vehicles with recuperation offer more pleasant handling, as energy recovery makes driving smoother and more controlled.

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Challenges and limits of recuperation

Despite its numerous advantages, recuperation also has some limitations. The efficiency of energy recovery depends heavily on the driving style and external conditions. In long downhill stretches, if the battery is already almost full, it can no longer absorb any additional energy. In such cases, the excess energy is dissipated by the mechanical brakes. In addition, the effectiveness of recuperation varies depending on the vehicle model and engine power, which means that not all electric vehicles benefit equally from the technology.

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Conclusion: Recuperation as a key technology in electromobility

Recuperation is an indispensable feature of modern electric vehicles, which increases efficiency and reduces operating costs for both cars and light commercial vehicles. By recovering braking energy, it makes an important contribution to increasing range and protecting vehicle components. For the future of electromobility, the further development of recuperation technology remains an exciting field with a great deal of potential.