In electric trains, the braking energy is converted into electricity and fed back into the overhead power supply.
This is somewhat akin to capturing the kinetic energy of an electric car via regenerative braking a feature found in the Toyota Prius.
And unless an electric bike has regenerative braking, which lets the motor help slow you down while charging the battery at the same time, expect to change the brake pads more often than on a standard bike.
While the car is on the move, the electric drive itself contributes to a favourable energy balance through recuperation, by converting kinetic energy into electric current in deceleration mode and during braking and feeding this energy into the battery.
ENGADGET: Mercedes-Benz introduces B-Class Electric Drive, we go eyes-on
Current regenerative braking systems use an alternator or electric motor connected to a battery pack.
FORBES: Mazda Bets Big On Diesel With The All-New 2014 Mazda 6
The hybrid recaptures energy through a process known as regenerative braking -- where the energy normally lost through braking or coasting goes to power the electric motor.
Each of the four wheels contains an electric motor, drive train, suspension and steering and braking mechanisms.
Steering and braking could also be controlled electronically and operated by tiny electric motors, in theory at least, so cutting the need for heavy metal brakes and pedals.
In electric cars and hybrids like the Prius, the electric motor that drives the wheels is likewise made to run backwards as an alternator during braking.
Other incremental improvements range from solar panels that run the air conditioning during stand-still, so fuel is not used to cool down the car, to small electric motors tucked away in the doors and powered by batteries that are charged when a car is braking.
Supercapacitors have a big internal surface-area that allows a large amount of energy to be delivered rapidly and are used in some electric cars to provide a short burst of power for rapid acceleration and in hybrids to recover energy during braking.
Its two high-speed electric motors operate as one but can act independently (and incidentally, by using reverse torque instead of friction for braking, the motors convert the energy of your motion to help replenish the battery).
应用推荐