The transition toward electric and hybrid vehicles has increased the interest in solutions aimed at improving vehicle energy efficiency and driving range. One of the main obstacles for the adoption of these types of vehicles on a large scale is the limited range. Since their introduction, engineers have focused on improving the efficiency, especially through the recovery of energy that can be used to reduce this impediment. One of the systems present on all vehicles, regardless of the type of propulsion, is the suspension system, which has the role of dampening the vibrations generated by road surface irregularities, transforming kinetic energy into thermal energy that is then dissipated into the environment. This paper addresses an innovative system aimed at recovering energy dissipated by the suspension in order to improve the range of electric and hybrid vehicles, while contributing to reducing the carbon footprint and fossil fuel consumption.

Simulations were carried out under road conditions defined according to the ISO 8608 standard, allowing the analysis of the system’s behavior depending on the vehicle speed and rolling surface characteristics.

For the evaluation of the concept, a 3D model of the proposed system was created, followed by the development of an equivalent mathematical model in the Simulink simulation environment. The results highlight that the electrical power generated increases along with the vehicle speed and road irregularities, confirming the significant potential of the suspension energy recovery system. Preliminary simulation results indicate that the proposed system can generate electrical power peaks up to 20% depending on vehicle speed and road surface characteristics and battery capacity. These values open new research perspectives, with a physical model to be created that will be tested for validation.