Regenerative Braking

Electric cars perform a clever trick: when you brake, the electric motor runs backward, becoming a generator. Your car's kinetic energy converts to electrical energy, which charges the battery.

Energy that ordinary brakes would scrub away as hot brake dust goes back into the battery instead. In stop-and-go city driving, that can extend range by 20-30%. Formula 1 cars use the same idea — kinetic energy recovery systems harvest braking energy for a power boost.