How does regenerative braking turn an electric car’s motor into a generator?

Regenerative braking is a highly efficient feature that allows an electric car to recover energy during deceleration. While an electric motor typically functions by converting electricity into mechanical energy to move the vehicle, it can reverse this process when the driver applies the brakes.1

In this mode, the motor operates as a generator. As the vehicle slows down, the motor captures the kinetic energy of the moving car and converts it back into electrical energy. This process relies on electromagnetic induction, where an electromotive force is induced in a circuit by varying the magnetic flux. The resulting electricity is then sent back to the battery for storage.123

By transforming the motor into a generator, regenerative braking helps extend the vehicle's driving range and reduces wear on the traditional mechanical braking system.1