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Old 07-03-2009, 11:28 AM   #13 (permalink)
'Vette Dude
4.6 Liter Northstar V8
 
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Concord, Ohio
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Re: GM orders 100,000 Hitachi Lithium-Ion Batteries BAS+ comming soon

Quote:
Originally Posted by johnstarnes View Post
Thanks. Maybe you can explain something I've yet to get my mind around...how does regenerative braking work? I just don't see how mechanical/heat energy from brakes can be converted to electricity.
John, regenerative braking uses the electric motors as alternators to charge the batteries. The friction from having nothing to power the alternator except momentum (The engine is off) slows the car down. Traditional friction brakes bring the car to a complete stop after that.
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