SUPERCAPACITOR-ASSISTED REGENERATIVE BRAKING FOR IMPROVED BATTERY PERFORMANCE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable transportation has placed electric vehicles (EVs) at the forefront of green mobility. However, limited battery life and energy efficiency remain major challenges that hinder widespread adoption. This study focuses on the integration of supercapacitors with battery systems to enhance energy storage, improve regenerative braking efficiency, and extend overall battery lifespan. A hybrid energy storage system (HESS) was designed, where supercapacitors absorb high power peaks during acceleration and store recovered energy during regenerative braking. The stored energy is subsequently used to reduce load stress on the battery, thereby improving cycle life and efficiency. Experimental evaluation and simulation analysis demonstrated that the supercapacitor-assisted system significantly improved regenerative energy recovery, reduced thermal stress on the battery, and enhanced vehicle range. The findings suggest that incorporating supercapacitors into EV powertrains can offer a cost-effective and efficient solution for improving energy utilization and ensuring longer battery life.