Design and Experimental Evaluation of an Arduino-Based Regenerative Braking System for Electric Vehicles

Abstract

Regenerative braking is an effective technique for improving the energy efficiency of electric vehicles by recovering a portion of the kinetic energy that is otherwise dissipated as heat during braking. This paper presents the design and implementation of an Arduino-based regenerative braking system developed as a low-cost prototype for demonstrating the fundamental principles of energy recovery in electric vehicles. The proposed system consists of an Arduino Uno, a DC BO motor, a motor driver, a 12 V rechargeable battery, an LCD display, LEDs, and a regulated power supply. During normal operation, the motor drives the wheel assembly, while during braking it functions as a generator to convert rotational kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is stored in the battery. The Arduino controller manages the transition between driving and braking modes and provides real-time monitoring of system operation through the display unit. Experimental evaluation confirms the successful recovery and storage of braking energy while demonstrating stable system operation under different braking conditions. The developed prototype provides a simple, economical, and educational platform for understanding regenerative braking technology and its role in enhancing energy utilization, reducing energy losses, and promoting sustainable electric vehicle development. The proposed system can serve as a foundation for future studies involving intelligent braking control, battery management, and optimized energy recovery strategies.