Design and Performance Analysis of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain with Regenerative Braking System

Karthik Srinivasan, Dr. Venu Radha Krishna

Department of Electrical Engineering,

Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India

Abstract

The increasing need for eco-friendly transportation and strict emission standards has hastened the advancement of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain combines internal combustion engines (ICEs), electric motors, energy storage systems, and sophisticated control strategies to enhance fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Among the technological advancements, regenerative braking systems (RBS) are crucial in boosting vehicle efficiency by transforming kinetic energy during slowing down into electrical energy stored in batteries or supercapacitors. This research article offers an in-depth design and performance evaluation of a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain equipped with a regenerative braking system. The study thoroughly examines powertrain configurations, control strategies, system modeling, and simulation-based assessments. The research starts with a comprehensive literature review on hybrid electric vehicle architectures, regenerative braking technologies, and performance optimization methods. Following this, a methodology utilizing mathematical modeling and MATLAB/Simulink-based co-simulation is introduced to analyze power flow, torque distribution, and energy recovery. A detailed system design of a parallel hybrid electric vehicle architecture with regenerative braking is developed, encompassing subsystems such as the engine, motor-generator unit, battery pack, transmission, and control unit. Implementation aspects like dynamic modeling, energy management strategy, and braking torque blending are explained. The results indicate that the proposed hybrid powertrain with regenerative braking enhances fuel efficiency, reduces mechanical brake wear, and increases battery state-of-charge during urban driving cycles. Simulation results show considerable energy recovery potential under different driving conditions. The article concludes that optimized regenerative braking strategies and integrated powertrain control can improve HEV performance, sustainability, and energy efficiency.

Keywords

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Powertrain Configuration, Regenerative Braking Mechanism, Energy Recuperation, Electric Motor, Battery Management System, Vehicle Dynamics, Control Approach, MATLAB/Simulink, Fuel Economy.