Energy Harvesting Techniques for Extending the Range of Electric Vehicles

The rapid rise of electric vehicles has brought major improvements in battery technology and motor efficiency, yet range anxiety remains a major barrier to widespread adoption. Energy harvesting techniques provide a promising pathway to extend electric vehicle travel without increasing battery size. Energy harvesting involves capturing and storing energy from environmental and operational sources such as solar, thermal, mechanical, and regenerative systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of energy harvesting approaches suitable for electric vehicles, including photovoltaic integration, thermoelectric generators, piezoelectric and triboelectric mechanisms, and regenerative braking systems. The study analyzes implementation feasibility, energy conversion efficiency, cost implications, and achievable range extension for each method. Emphasis is placed on hybrid energy harvesting architectures that integrate multiple sources to maximize performance. A mathematical model is developed to estimate harvested energy and its impact on vehicle range through simulations and case studies. Results indicate that while individual harvesting systems contribute modest gains, combined hybrid systems can extend electric vehicle range by approximately 10–20% under optimal conditions. The proposed system architecture and power management strategy ensure compatibility between auxiliary harvesting modules and the primary battery system, improving overall energy efficiency. Integrating advanced energy harvesting technologies can significantly enhance electric vehicle sustainability, reduce dependence on large battery packs, and support environmentally friendly mobility. This work provides a foundation for future self-sustaining electric mobility systems and optimized vehicular energy utilization.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) Energy Harvesting Range Extension Regenerative Braking Thermoelectric Generators Piezoelectric Energy Photovoltaic Integration Hybrid Energy Systems Power Management Sustainable Mobility

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