What Kind of Brakes do Electric Cars Use?

Electric vehicles (EVs) have a wide range of high-tech and next-generation features that set them apart from most traditional internal combustion engines. Of all those features, the brake systems are among the most overlooked. Considerable advances have been made in braking technology, and they are showcased in EVs across the nation. Let’s go into the different types of brakes below, so we can see what makes EV brakes so special.

The Industry Standard System: Hydraulic Brakes

Hydraulic braking systems are standard across the industry on almost all internal combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles. The pedal pushes down on a piston that uses fluid to force the brake pads into the braking position. This generates considerable friction but does a great job of ensuring that the vehicle comes to a stop in a timely manner. Drum and disc brakes are both hydraulic format brakes. Disc brakes are generally more effective, but drum brakes have a better life span.

This is because drum brakes have larger areas for taking on heat and friction wear. Hybrid and EVs use standard hydraulic braking systems as backups or supplements to their primary braking systems. There is one major downside to these standard hydraulic braking systems: the energy created by the heat and friction of the system is always lost. The braking system we’ll talk about next has been engineered to make use of the heat and friction energy generated by braking.

When Stopping Powers Going: Regenerative Braking Systems

Regenerative braking systems have exploded into the automotive market because they have a positive impact on fuel and energy consumption rates. Charging and fueling costs often dig deep into drivers’ wallets, so Subaru installs regenerative braking systems on their EVs to reduce financial impact. Initial versions of regenerative braking systems reduced power source energy consumption rates by 5%-10%. Good progress has been made toward greater energy gain efficiency due to these systems.

Newer regenerative braking systems do the same work as older systems but at rates equaling between 10%-25%. The savings regenerative brakes create over time are so considerable that going with a new hybrid or EV with more advanced regenerative brakes can prove to be more affordable than a used version in the long run. The average American spends $5,000 a year on fuel for their vehicle. The average EV costs less than half that amount to charge its battery per year. Shave another 25% off that amount, and you begin to see some serious fuel savings.

Regenerative braking systems are made by combining the standard braking system with a feedback power setup. When the brakes are triggered, power is drawn up from the brakes into the hybrid or electric battery, and friction and heat are generated. This means an EV braking at highway speeds will generate more replacement power than an EV braking at city speeds.

City driving involves more stop-and-go traffic than suburban driving. This means that highway commuters will get the most out of regenerative braking systems, followed by city drivers and then suburban drivers. The next variety of braking system is even more advanced than regenerative brakes.

The Brakes of the Future on Today’s Vehicles: Electromagnetic Brakes

It wasn’t so long ago that this kind of braking system was relegated to science fiction stories. Electromagnetic brakes can be found on many hybrid and fully electric vehicles. They’re remarkable because they manage to bring vehicles to a stop with little or no friction or heat when compared to the other two braking technologies. Electromagnetic braking systems use electromagnetic fields to force the vehicle to stop without physically contacting the wheel disc. Electromagnetic braking technology is incredibly efficient and cost effective, especially on hybrid or electric vehicles used for towing and medium and large cargo vehicles used by businesses.

Electromagnetic braking systems make the purchasing of brake pads, drums, and discs a thing of the past, since the field braking system doesn’t require them for operation. All that is required is a specialized set of permanent magnets and the right electrical hookups. The electrical hookups trigger the magnets with a charge when the pedal is pushed, causing them to clamp down through the electromagnetic fields they generate.

Vital Brake Pad Details Related to EV Regenerative Braking Systems

Regenerative braking systems almost always have standard hydraulic systems as backups or supplementary systems. If the system is supplemental, the brake pads on the hydraulic part of the system will perform and wear normally. These systems tend to have standard coated or painted brake pads. Electric vehicles that use regenerative braking systems and hydraulic brakes as backups are different.

Standard varieties of brake pads often see more corrosion deterioration when used on backup systems because they’re rarely used. Drivers would be wise to choose galvanized brake pads over standard painted or otherwise coated versions. These pads are ideal for resisting all forms of deterioration related to the brake pads not being used, which are commonly seen on backup hydraulic braking systems.

The Braking System Pros at Huffines Subaru Corinth

You can feel confident scheduling a service appointment with us, whether your vehicle has standard hydraulic brakes, regenerative brakes with hydraulic backups, regenerative brakes with hydraulic supplements, or electromagnetic brakes. Our service center is experienced in the maintenance, repair, removal, and replacement of every type of braking system we’ve mentioned above.

Our service center is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and we are closed on Sunday. Drivers who want to order a more advanced and efficient braking system for their EV should visit our parts department . The parts pros there will order all that is required for our service team to make your EV an ultra-efficient and high-tech masterpiece.

At Huffines Subaru of Corinth, we’re always glad to keep our patrons up to date on the newest EV models and their ever-improving braking capabilities. Contact us if you’re curious about our EVs and their remarkable braking systems. We’ll gladly point you toward the variety that fits your driving patterns best.