Pathways to Enhance Vehicle Efficiency and Sustainability with Energy Recovery Technology

Shucheng Li; Pingchuan Xu; Hongche Cheng; Jiaxuan Tao; Yiyun Feng

doi:10.54254/2753-8818/2025.22656

Research Article

Open access

Published on 6 May 2025

Download pdf

Li,S.;Xu,P.;Cheng,H.;Tao,J.;Feng,Y. (2025). Pathways to Enhance Vehicle Efficiency and Sustainability with Energy Recovery Technology. Theoretical and Natural Science,107,58-73.

Export citation

Pathways to Enhance Vehicle Efficiency and Sustainability with Energy Recovery Technology

Shucheng Li ¹, Pingchuan Xu *^,2, Hongche Cheng ³, Jiaxuan Tao ⁴, Yiyun Feng ⁵

¹ School of Mech, Ind, Manf Engr, Oregon State University, Corvallis, 97331, U.S.
² School of Control Engineering, Northeastern University, Qinghuangdao, 066004, China
³ High School Attached to Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130000, China
⁴ School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
⁵ Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy, Shanghai, 200233, China

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-8818/2025.22656

Abstract

The application of hybrid and electric vehicles is gradually becoming widespread for the purposes of reducing environmental pollution, saving energy, lowering operating costs, and reducing dependence on petroleum resources, thus the significance of energy recovery has emerged as a crucial area of focus. How to improve energy utilisation, extend battery life, reduce noise and environmental pollution have become urgent issues. And energy recovery systems have the potential to solve these problems. This review examines five key energy recovery mechanisms: regenerative braking, flywheel systems, thermoelectric generators, the Rankine cycle, and electric turbochargers. The objective is to evaluate these methods, emphasizing their potential to improve energy conversion efficiency and their feasibility in real-world applications for both hybrid and purely electric vehicles. By synthesizing information from a wide range of literature, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the energy recovery and conversion efficiencies demonstrated by each technology. The analysis explores both theoretical foundations and practical implementations across various vehicle models, highlighting recent scientific advancements aimed at optimizing energy recovery performance. In conclusion, this review underscores the potential of diverse energy recovery mechanisms to enhance the performance and sustainability of hybrid and electric vehicles.

Keywords

Commuter vehicles, energy recovery technology, recovery efficiency, implementation feasibility

View pdf

References

[1]. V. Rakov, “Determination of optimal characteristics of braking energy recovery system in vehicles operating in urban conditions,” Transp. Res. Procedia, vol. 50, pp. 566–573, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.trpro.2020.10.068.

[2]. C. Armenta-Déu and H. Cortés, “Analysis of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems in Electric Vehicles,” Vehicles, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 387–403, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.3390/vehicles5020022.

[3]. Y. Yang, Q. He, Y. Chen, and C. Fu, “Efficiency Optimization and Control Strategy of Regenerative Braking System with Dual Motor,” Energies, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 711, Feb. 2020, doi: 10.3390/en13030711.

[4]. A. G. Olabi, T. Wilberforce, M. A. Abdelkareem, and M. Ramadan, “Critical Review of Flywheel Energy Storage System,” Energies, vol. 14, no. 8, Art. no. 8, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.3390/en14082159.

[5]. K. Xu, Y. Guo, G. Lei, and J. Zhu, “A Review of Flywheel Energy Storage System Technologies,” Energies, vol. 16, no. 18, Art. no. 18, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.3390/en16186462.

[6]. Y. Zhao, S. Wang, M. Ge, Z. Liang, Y. Liang, and Y. Li, “Performance analysis of automobile exhaust thermoelectric generator system with media fluid,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 171, pp. 427–437, Sep. 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2018.06.006.

[7]. F. Zhou, S. N. Joshi, R. Rhote-Vaney, and E. M. Dede, “A review and future application of Rankine Cycle to passenger vehicles for waste heat recovery,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 75, pp. 1008–1021, Aug. 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.080.

[8]. P. Dimitriou, R. Burke, Q. Zhang, C. Copeland, and H. Stoffels, “Electric Turbocharging for Energy Regeneration and Increased Efficiency at Real Driving Conditions,” Appl. Sci., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 350, Apr. 2017, doi: 10.3390/app7040350.

[9]. W. Wagino et al., “Implementation of an Electric Turbocharger on A Single-Cylinder Spark Ignition Engine in an Effort to Use Ethanol Gasoline E40,” TEM J., pp. 161–166, Feb. 2024, doi: 10.18421/TEM131-16.

[10]. R. Capata, “Experimental Fitting of Redesign Electrified Turbocompressor of a Novel Mild Hybrid Power Train for a City Car,” Energies, vol. 14, no. 20, p. 6516, Oct. 2021, doi: 10.3390/en14206516.

[11]. S. J. Clegg, “A Review of Regenerative Braking Systems.” White Rose Research Online. [Online]. Available: https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/2118/1/ITS105_WP471_uploadable.pdf.

[12]. N. Huda, S. Kaleg, A. Hapid, M. R. Kurnia, and A. C. Budiman, “The influence of the regenerative braking on the overall energy consumption of a converted electric vehicle,” SN Appl. Sci., vol. 2, no. 4, p. 606, Apr. 2020, doi: 10.1007/s42452-020-2390-3.

[13]. “Energies | Free Full-Text | A Review of Flywheel Energy Storage System Technologies.” Accessed: Jun. 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/18/6462

[14]. “Applied Sciences | Free Full-Text | A Review of Flywheel Energy Storage System Technologies and Their Applications.” Accessed: Jun. 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/7/3/286

[15]. “Review of flywheel based energy storage systems | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore.” Accessed: Jun. 27, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6036455

[16]. X. Yan, S. Nie, B. Chen, F. Yin, H. Ji, and Z. Ma, “Strategies to improve the energy efficiency of hydraulic power unit with flywheel energy storage system,” J. Energy Storage, vol. 59, p. 106515, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.est.2022.106515.

[17]. “Sustainability | Free Full-Text | Feasibility Assessment of a Small-Scale Agrivoltaics-Based Desalination Plant with Flywheel Energy Storage—case Study: Namibia.” Accessed: Jun. 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/9/3685

[18]. “Energies | Free Full-Text | Design and Sizing of Electric Bus Flash Charger Based on a Flywheel Energy Storage System: A Case Study.” Accessed: Jun. 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/21/8032

[19]. K. Yazawa and A. Shakouri, “Fuel-burning thermoelectric generators for the future of electric vehicles,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 227, p. 113523, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2020.113523.

[20]. X. Lu, X. Yu, Z. Qu, Q. Wang, and T. Ma, “Experimental investigation on thermoelectric generator with non-uniform hot-side heat exchanger for waste heat recovery,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 150, pp. 403–414, Oct. 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2017.08.030.

[21]. D. Kim et al., “Design and performance analyses of thermoelectric coolers and power generators for automobiles,” Sustain. Energy Technol. Assess., vol. 51, p. 101955, Jun. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.seta.2022.101955.

[22]. S. Lan, R. Stobart, and R. Chen, “Performance comparison of a thermoelectric generator applied in conventional vehicles and extended-range electric vehicles,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 266, p. 115791, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115791.

[23]. A. Domingues, H. Santos, and M. Costa, “Analysis of vehicle exhaust waste heat recovery potential using a Rankine cycle,” Energy, vol. 49, pp. 71–85, Jan. 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.11.001.

[24]. X. Yu, Z. Li, Y. Lu, R. Huang, and A. P. Roskilly, “Investigation of organic Rankine cycle integrated with double latent thermal energy storage for engine waste heat recovery,” Energy, vol. 170, pp. 1098–1112, Mar. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.12.196.

[25]. T. A. Horst, W. Tegethoff, P. Eilts, and J. Koehler, “Prediction of dynamic Rankine Cycle waste heat recovery performance and fuel saving potential in passenger car applications considering interactions with vehicles’ energy management,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 78, pp. 438–451, Feb. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2013.10.074.

[26]. C. C. Suciu, S. V. Igret, I. Vetres, and I. Ionel, “Review of the Integration of Hybrid Electric Turbochargers for Mass-Produced Road Vehicles,” Energies, vol. 17, no. 6, p. 1484, Mar. 2024, doi: 10.3390/en17061484.

[27]. S. Lück, T. Wittmann, J. Göing, C. Bode, and J. Friedrichs, “Impact of Condensation on the System Performance of a Fuel Cell Turbocharger,” Machines, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 59, Jan. 2022, doi: 10.3390/machines10010059.

[28]. R. Capata and E. Sciubba, “Study, Development and Prototyping of a Novel Mild Hybrid Power Train for a City Car: Design of the Turbocharger,” Appl. Sci., vol. 11, no. 1, p. 234, Dec. 2020, doi: 10.3390/app11010234.

Cite this article

Li,S.;Xu,P.;Cheng,H.;Tao,J.;Feng,Y. (2025). Pathways to Enhance Vehicle Efficiency and Sustainability with Energy Recovery Technology. Theoretical and Natural Science,107,58-73.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

Disclaimer/Publisher's Note

The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s). EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Computing Innovation and Applied Physics

Conference website: https://2025.confciap.org/

ISBN：978-1-80590-087-0(Print) / 978-1-80590-088-7(Online)

Conference date: 17 January 2025

Editor：Ömer Burak İSTANBULLU, Marwan Omar, Anil Fernando

Series: Theoretical and Natural Science

Volume number: Vol.107

ISSN：2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

© 2024 by the author(s). Licensee EWA Publishing, Oxford, UK. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Authors who publish this series agree to the following terms:
1. Authors retain copyright and grant the series right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this series.
2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the series's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this series.
3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See Open access policy for details).