Regenerative shock absorbers to charge hybrid batteries

Shock absorbers that generate electricity have been developed by North America's Tufts University. Like regenerative brakes, these dampers use the surplus kinetic energy in a vehicle to generate electricity that can contribute to the recharging of hybrid batteries, further extending their range. The shock absorbers are at the experimental stage, but Electric Truck LLC, an American licensing and technology incubation firm, has committed to develop the system for hybrid vehicles according to Gizmag magazine.

The electricity is generated by harnessing the movement of a vehicle's body relative to its wheels via the shock absorbers, the vertical movement used to drive a linear electric motor that generates an electric current. Conventional shock absorbers convert the kinetic energy they generate into waste heat – these regenerative versions are claimed to have the potential to contribute between eight and 44 percent of a vehicle's energy needs when it is driven at moderate speeds. Regenerative shock absorbers are particularly effective when used on big and heavy vehicles, but they are eventually expected to appear in road and racing cars.