Energy Harvesting in electric vehicles refers to the technology used to capture and harness energy from different alternative sources in the environment (solar, thermal, wind, kinetic) to power the vehicle’s electrical systems or to recharge the battery.
Electric vehicles mainly depend on energy stored in batteries to run their engines. However, “harvested” energy offers the opportunity to integrate other renewable energy sources to increase range and reduce dependence on the external charging network.
Several forms of energy harvesting can be used in electric vehicles. One of the most common sources is solar energy. Solar panels can be installed on the vehicle’s roof to convert solar energy into electricity that can be used to power auxiliary systems such as lighting, air conditioner, audio system, and so on.
Other forms of energy harvesting can include capturing kinetic energy through braking energy recovery systems, which convert the energy generated during braking into electrical power to be stored in the battery. In addition, kinetic energy can be harnessed through energy harvesting systems from vehicle vibration or movement to generate electricity.
Energy harvesting in electric vehicles increases vehicle range using renewable and free energy sources. Secondly, it reduces dependence on the external charging network, offering greater flexibility.
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