How does regenerative braking work on a golf cart?

Answer 1

KISS Answer: An electrical motor converts electric energy by using electrical energy from the battery to mechanical energy by coursing the electricity through coils of wires that are in a magnetic field. The negative charge of the battery is repulsed by a positive charge created by magnets in the motor. This causes the motor to rotate, and mechanical gears and such rotate the axle which drives the wheel. Eventually the battery will expel all its electrical energy by this process.

The regenerative braking reverses some of this action by creating an electrical current from the mechanical action of the wheels. The charge of electricity is produced by rotating a set of wires within the magnetic field. The energy source is created by the resistance of the wires rotating within the magnetic field. So the kinetic energy of the wheels is used to create electrical energy which is stored in the battery. You can't get something out of nothing, so the conversion of the mechanical energy to electrical energy causes the motor to slow down, and the cart to brake.


ELECTRICAL ENERGY (BATTERY) > MOTOR = INCREASED MOTION (DEPLETING BATTERY)


KINETIC ENERGY (MOVING CART) > BATTERY = DECREASED MOTION (CHARGING BATTERY)