What is the purpose of a regenerative braking system in electric and hybrid vehicles, and how does it capture and store kinetic energy during braking maneuvers to recharge the vehicle's battery and improve overall energy efficiency?

A regenerative braking system is designed to capture and store kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost as heat during braking maneuvers. In electric and hybrid vehicles, regenerative braking uses the electric motor as a generator to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is then stored in the vehicle’s battery for later use. By recovering some of the energy expended during braking, regenerative braking improves the overall energy efficiency of the vehicle and extends its driving range, especially in stop-and-go traffic or urban driving conditions.