Electric motorcycles as a sustainable transportation solution: the potential of regenerative braking systems in Vietnam

Electric motorcycles are gradually emerging as a sustainable transportation solution, offering environmental benefits and enhanced operational efficiency, particularly in Vietnam - one with the highest motorcycle usage rates globally. However, limitations related to the range per charge and battery recharging time remain significant challenges to the widespread adoption of this vehicle type. One promising solution for improving energy efficiency is the regenerative braking system, which converts kinetic energy during deceleration into electrical energy and stores it in the battery. This study focuses on the design, development, and performance evaluation of a regenerative braking system applied to the VinFast Klara electric motorcycle. Experimental results indicated that the system operated efficiently and successfully recovered energy during braking. The energy recovery efficiency was influenced by multiple factors, including: Braking power, motor speed, battery state of charge (SOC), and the efficiency of the charging circuit. Specifically, the energy recovery efficiency of the electric motor functioned as a generator reached 30.35% at a braking power 200 W. However, significant energy lossed occur due to the voltage amplification circuit, led to an overall regenerative braking efficiency of 22.5% at the same braking power level. These findings underscore the potential of regenerative braking systems in enhancing the energy efficiency of electric motorcycles. However, further research is required to minimize energy losses in the voltage amplification circuit and improve the overall system performance. The advancement of this technology not only enhances energy utilization efficiency, but also contributes to the sustainable development of the electric vehicle industry.