A Comprehensive Study on Optimizing Electric Vehicle Performance through Integrated Regenerative Braking, Thermal Management, and Drivetrain Systems

As the global automotive landscape accelerates toward full electrification, the traditional focus on individual component efficiency is no longer sufficient to meet the demand for extended range and superior performance. This study presents a holistic approach to electric vehicle (EV) optimization by investigating the synergistic integration of three critical domains: regenerative braking systems (RBS), thermal management architectures, and drivetrain performance. While these subsystems are often engineered in silos, our research demonstrates that their operational coupling is essential for maximizing energy recuperation and minimizing parasitic losses. By employing a multi-physics modeling framework, we analyze the dynamic interplay between high-frequency regenerative braking cycles and battery thermal stability, revealing that optimized thermal-drivetrain coupling can extend vehicle range by up to 14% under simulated urban driving conditions. The study introduces a novel control strategy—the Integrated Energy Management System (IEMS)—which dynamically modulates torque distribution and coolant flow in response to real-time state-of-charge (SoC) and battery temperature fluctuations. The findings provide a robust technological roadmap for future EV development, emphasizing that the path to market competitiveness lies not in incremental component refinement, but in the sophisticated, intelligent orchestration of the entire vehicle ecosystem.