How does it work?
When the vehicle is in motion, it develops kinetic energy depending on its speed.
To accelerate, power must be provided to the vehicle in order to increase its kinetic energy. On a bike, one must push harder on the pedals. In a car, one presses on the accelerator pedal. These actions lead to more power being supplied to the wheels, which then accelerate the vehicle.
To brake, the opposite is true: kinetic energy must be reduced. Whether on a bike or in a car, energy is dissipated in the brakes: by rubbing the brake pads against a disc, heat is generated and dissipated into the surrounding air. On the Le Mans racetrack, racing cars go so far as to red-hot their brake discs, as can be seen on the photo1:

This braking principle is effective, but the energy is lost as heat.
Beeway can be braked using a regenerative braking system. In an electric vehicle, the motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy transmitted to the wheels, thereby increasing the vehicle's kinetic energy.
If the motor and its electronics permit, it is also possible to operate this chain in reverse: the wheels transmit mechanical energy to the motor, which then converts it into electrical energy. This energy can then be stored in the battery for later use.
Beeway regeneration
Beeway is equipped with electronics enabling this mode of operation. To validate the correct control and optimization of certain parameters, a test campaign was carried out with a prototype.
This campaign has demonstrated significant gains. Results depend, of course, on driving style. On freeways at constant speed, the gains are minimal. On the other hand, in rural or even urban areas, braking is much more frequent, and even incessant, when door-to-door service is involved (e.g. refuse collection).
The gain is therefore variable and depends on driving style, but tests have shown the following gains:
- In rural areas: +10% more autonomy
- In town: +15% more autonomy
- Door-to-door: +20% more autonomy