Effect of Regenerative Braking on PHEV Battery Life
Regenerative braking in a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) generally has a positive impact on battery life, though it can also introduce some complexities.
Benefits for Battery Life:
- Keeping the Battery Charged: Regenerative braking helps to maintain a higher state of charge, which can reduce the depth of discharge and frequency of full cycles, potentially extending battery life.
- Reduced Thermal Stress: By lowering the demand on the battery for propulsion, regenerative braking might help reduce thermal stress on the battery, though this effect is more nuanced.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Current Fluctuations: Frequent regenerative braking can lead to high current fluctuations during charging, which can potentially deteriorate battery health over time. This effect depends on the quality of the battery management system and how it handles these fluctuations.
- Dependence on Conditions: The effectiveness of regenerative braking in extending battery life is highly dependent on driving conditions. For instance, it is more beneficial in stop-and-go traffic than in steady highway driving.
Overall Impact:
Regenerative braking is generally seen as beneficial for maintaining battery health by reducing strain and keeping the battery charged. However, its overall effect on battery life is influenced by various factors, including driving habits and the efficiency of the battery management system.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-regenerative-braking-affect-the-battery-life-of-a-phev/
