Regenerative Braking

What is regenerative braking?

Regenerative braking, or recuperation, is the technique of converting kinetic energy into electricity while braking and storing it in the battery. Instead of destroying that energy as heat, as a friction brake does, it is put back to use: extra range in electric cars and a performance boost in hybrid sports cars.

How it works

Under braking the electric motor is run as a generator. It produces electricity and charges the battery, and because it provides the deceleration itself the friction brakes have to do less work. The result is less brake wear and more electrical energy available. In sports cars such as the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid the system is an integral part of the drivetrain.

Performance benefits

On track, recovered energy can be deployed deliberately: accelerating out of a corner, overtaking, or in a straight-line duel. Formula 1 treats recuperation as a strategic tool within defined limits. In the current 911 hybrid, around 25 kW of extra output is available in short bursts, which is ideal for a trackday. The technology is therefore far more than an efficiency feature.

Recuperation in ESC cars

Modern ESC trackday Porsches such as the 992.2 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid use recuperation actively for performance, and you feel the electric boost directly under acceleration. Look at the hybrid models in the fleet. Experience hybrid performance.