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Nissan Regenerative Braking System

As the 2014 Nissan LEAF has gained popularity, Phoenix-area drivers have become increasingly interested in understanding the many technological advances that Nissan has made to make the lofty goals of the LEAF a reality. While lots of attention is paid to the all-electric, zero-emission drivetrain, there is another innovative feature of the LEAF that manages to slip under that radar, and that is its incredible regenerative braking system.

The regenerative braking system in the 2014 Nissan LEAF, to the surprise of many, is something it shares with electric trolley cars, and it’s a concept that is amazing in its practical simplicity. For those of us who didn’t pay attention in physical science class, here’s a bit of a refresher: energy, you might remember, can’t be destroyed, it can only be dispersed and redistributed. This is the core tenet of regenerative braking. In short, when you coast or brake in a Nissan LEAF (or a trolley car, for that matter) the energy used in braking is recaptured by the electric motor, and then is later used for acceleration. It’s both simple in practice, yet complex to try to understand.
The video below shows a LEAF driver named Neil Wagner, a resident of Maui, Hawaii. As you may know, Hawaii is composed of volcanic islands (and more than a few active volcanoes), and the amazing braking system of the 2014 Nissan LEAF is ideal for the driving that Mr. Wagner undertakes regularly. During his climb to the top of the Haleakala Crater, the strenuous task is extremely taxing on the electric motor of the LEAF. But then, on its descent down the mountain, the electric motor traps the energy created by the friction of the braking and coasting of the downhill driving. It is truly the process of regenerative braking in action.
There is little doubt that the 2014 Nissan LEAF is among the most innovative vehicles available today, but few consider the process of regenerative braking to be among the many reasons why. To learn more about the brilliance of the 2014 Nissan LEAF, stop by Avondale Nissan today!