HOW DOES REGENERATIVE BRAKING WORK?
AMPM Automotive • June 23, 2021
Regenerative Brakes Explained
Did you know that the first electric car was invented about the same time as the internal combustion engine? Both were created in the 1870s, yet the gas-powered engine has become the automotive industry standard for the past century. Braking systems have been using the same friction based model, but engineers have developed a regenerative braking system for electric vehicles (EVs). Just like the electric vehicle itself, regenerative brakes are all about conserving energy. The kinetic energy lost when braking must be transferred and stored as energy for the vehicle’s battery. Regenerative brakes extend your electric vehicle’s range, as well as prevents brake repair needs.How Effective Are Regenerative Brakes
When we’re talking about the effectiveness of a regenerative braking system, we’re not just talking about its ability to slow down. Of course that’s important, but regenerative brakes are designed to capture as much of the kinetic energy that’s lost when a vehicle is in motion and then brakes. Typically that energy is lost as heat, but a regenerative braking system allows it to be stored and used by the EV’s battery. You can determine how effective the regenerative brakes are by calculating how the vehicle’s overall range is affected.What Affects Your Regenerative Brakes?
The efficiency of regenerative braking systems are not all the same. The environment and the conditions in which they are driving will have a huge impact on its efficiency. For instance, it only makes sense that an EV will be more efficient in a city’s stop-and-go traffic because drivers are constantly braking, thereby directing energy back to the battery. On the open highway, a driver would only be using battery power. The type of terrain also matters since the amount of braking, and storing energy, will vary depending on how often you need to brake. The size of the vehicle also has a huge impact on how effective the regenerative braking system will be. The larger the vehicle, the more kinetic energy is created by its moving and braking. Ultimately, the more efficient the regenerative brakes are at recapturing energy, the more effective it will be at expanding its range. Not all electric vehicles are the same, but they will generally recapture anywhere from 60% – 70% of the kinetic energy that would normally be lost. In addition to preserving or extending the electric vehicle’s range, regenerative braking systems are able to extend the lifespan of brake parts and avoid brake repairs. The amount of wear-and-tear on the regenerative braking system is minimal, when compared to a standard braking system. Just think of the regenerative brakes as a system that recycles and converts kinetic energy into power for the electric vehicle’s battery.Discover expert engine repair services at AMPM Automotive in Rockville, MD. Enhance your vehicle's performance today! Schedule an online appointment now.
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If you're buying a used vehicle, bringing one into Maryland, or transferring a title, you're going to need a Maryland state safety inspection before the MVA lets you register it. At AMPM Automotive in Rockville, we're a certified inspection station. We inspect passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks under 10,000 lbs, and non-commercial trailers. Here’s what to know before you schedule. 🗓️ When Do You Need a Maryland Inspection You need a safety inspection if: - You're buying a used vehicle from a private party - You're moving into Maryland with an out-of-state vehicle - You're transferring ownership outside your immediate family - You're re-registering a vehicle that's been sitting a while The MVA won't issue plates without a valid inspection certificate 🚙 What Vehicles We Inspect We inspect: - Passenger cars - SUVs and light-duty trucks under 10,000 lbs - Trailers under 20 feet without air brakes We do not inspect motorcycles, commercial trucks, or trailers with air brakes 🔍 What’s Included in the Inspection Maryland inspections are detailed. Here's what we check ✅ Main Areas We Inspect 🛑 Brakes Pads, rotors, parking brake, hoses, master cylinder ⚙️ Steering and Suspension Ball joints, tie rods, control arms, shocks, bushings 🛞 Tires and Wheels Tread depth, damage, sizing, lug nut condition 💡 Lights and Electrical Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, tag lights, hazard lights, horn 🪟 Windshield and Wipers Visibility, cracks, wiper blades, washer spray 🪞 Mirrors Both side mirrors and the rearview mirror 🔩 Exhaust Leaks, mounts, muffler condition 🚗 Frame and Underside Rust-through, fuel tank mounts, body damage 🪑 Interior Safety Items Seatbelts, horn, odometer, speedometer, door latches, dashboard lights 🚛 Trailer Inspections Tires, lighting, hitch, frame, brakes if equipped 🕶️ Maryland Tint Laws for Inspection We use a meter to check tint on your windows. If it's too dark, the car will fail Legal Tint Limits in Maryland: - Front windows must let in at least 35 percent of light - Rear windows can be darker if both side mirrors are present - Windshield tint is only allowed on the top strip above the AS1 line - Not allowed: mirrored or colored tint like red or amber We can check the tint before starting the full inspection if needed ❌ What If the Vehicle Fails You’ll get a digital inspection report by email showing exactly what failed and why Then you have: - 30 days or 1000 miles - To make the repairs - And bring it back to us for a recheck We only recheck the failed items. If it's something small like a bulb or wiper, we can usually fix it on the spot 💵 How Much It Costs - Most passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs: $135 flat - Trailers: depends on brake setup and axles - Reinspection: no charge for visual checks. If we need to lift the vehicle or use tools, we charge time only Labor rate is $160 per hour using state-regulated inspection time guides ⏱️ How Long It Takes - Cars and SUVs: usually 1.5 to 2 hours - Small trailers: 30 to 60 minutes - Trailers with brakes: up to 90 minutes Drop it off or wait—we’ll text or call when it’s ready 📃 How Long the Certificate Is Good For - Valid for 90 days from the inspection date - 6 months or 1000 miles if it’s held in dealer inventory After that, a full new inspection is required 📍 Schedule an Inspection at AMPM Automotive We follow Maryland law exactly, no games, no fluff. If it passes, it passes. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you why and what to do next AMPM Automotive 11800 Coakley Cir, Rockville MD 20852 (301) 822-4694 Monday through Friday 8AM to 5PM Book your inspection online: https://sgenie.io/bvcy9 ❓ Maryland Inspection FAQ 🔧 Can a car fail for window tint Yes. If the front tint blocks too much light, it's an automatic fail ⏳ What if I miss the 30 days or 1000 miles You'll need a brand new full inspection 🚚 Do you inspect motorcycles or diesels No. We only inspect passenger vehicles, SUVs under 10000 lbs, and non-commercial trailers 📝 How do I get the inspection report You’ll receive the full inspection sheet digitally by email right after we complete the inspection
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