CrimsonEclipse

Are there any electric drive systems that have/use regenerative braking?

It doesn't seem to be a sales pitch on any bike that I've seen.

Robert C

It is possible using direct-drive hub motors. A, now out of business, company called bioniX attempted to make use of it. The problem is that e-biles are too light to get much value from it.

john m flores 

I suspect that there's a complexity issue as well - how do you insert regenerative braking logic into a simple mechanical braking system?

Atlas Shrugged

My Copenhagen Wheel has regenerative braking. Works OK but is very handy for braking, activates like a coaster brake, partial back pedal.

2old

As stated above it's a function mainly of direct drive hubs that support it (ebikesca has a geared hub with the function), but doesn't provide an appreciable amount of energy back to the battery. I've always eschewed it since (for me) the impact on the dropouts as the axle reverts from providing power to stopping the bike is excessive and not worth it. I tested it once on a BioxX, D-500 equipped bike and it was powerful, but could be regulated.

Polaris OBark

cf: https://ebikes.ca/ezee-front-regen-barebones-kit.html

https://ebikes.ca/blog/post/for-the-love-of-regen.html

Rick_D

Zehus makes a rear hub containing motor, battery and regen system. Learned of it from a German bike company (forget which) incorporating it. Here's one of the options.

https://eventure-bikes.webflow.io/products/horizon

Wish I knew more, seems promising for a very clean and compact install.

fooferdoggie 

this is the only company that does serious dd bikes. you can adjust the regen on the fly.
https://us.stromerbike.com/collectio...SAAEgK1iPD_BwE

cat0020

The problem with ebikes with regen is the weight, lack of significant weight really doesn't allow the braking to generate much.
See video below:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=...31106618557088

I used to have Engwe folding fat ebike that has regen functions in PAS 2 & above.
On a descent (long distance) it would generate enough juice to gain charge, but hard to tell since the battery level was in percentile and I didn't bother with checking the battery voltage when I had that bike.

Doc_Wui

Regen on ebikes is not well integrated on some models. I've heard reports that one popular bike with regen forces the users to pedal going downhill if they have turned on regen, because the bike will automatically apply engine braking when the power is off.

It also requires direct drive motors. Even if regen is not turned on, there's magnet drag in the motor when you roll without power. This inhibits coasting to a lesser extent than regen braking. To offset the lack of internal gears, direct drive motors have to be larger and heavier to generate more torque than a geared motor,.

Perhaps when ebikes weigh 150 pounds, regen will make more sense.I'll stay with my lightweight bikes. I get enough range with them.

CrimsonEclipse

Right... Mid drive won't work unless you have one of those belt drive and a freewheel like ratchet on the front crank.

I appreciate the input.

Was just curious, it just seems that it's not worth it for most manufacturers.

And it would only be for a small percentage who ride on extended inclines.

veganbikes

Basically, no . People use it for marketing purposes but as others have said there is little weight to an e-bike so if you want something harder to pedal it will give you that but it doesn't really give you much power back. It is a good gimmick and certainly a good way to market some of these bikes because it is easy to buy into. It would be cool if it could actually work without all the weight and actually generate power but I don't think that will happen. However getting a dynamo hub and a AC/DC converter to work would be cool but again probably wouldn't do that much.

308jerry

My thought is that it takes several hours to charge an ebike battery. A few seconds or even several minutes of regenerative braking wouldn't amount to much... And then when you've found yourself at the bottom of the hill, you've lost all momentum... Isn't some of the fun of biking, the speed at the bottom of the hill...

cat0020

As mentioned before, weight of the vehicle very much determines how much electricity you can gain from regen.
My Prius (+3k lb.) can generate enough juice to run the car a few mpg per tank, far more than 60-70 lb. ebike with 180 lb. rider.