Development of Smart Self-Energizing Electric Vehicle for Sustainable Mobility

Abstract

The project aims to create a model on self-charging electric vehicle which produces electricity through its motion. The system uses regenerative motors which mount on the car wheels. The vehicle movement begins when the main motor powers the rear axle which drives the wheels for forward motion. The rear axle movement causes wheel rotation which generates motion through rolling friction that enables the regenerative motors on the wheels to start rotating. The regenerative motors generate rotational motion which enables them to function as generators that create electrical power for battery storage. The laws of thermodynamics together with energy conservation principles make it impossible to achieve total energy conversion from one source to another. The project aims to enhance electric vehicle performance through energy recovery from vehicle motion instead of achieving complete self-charging. The increasing environmental pollution from traditional vehicles makes this method an effective way to improve energy efficiency while developing sustainable transportation solutions for upcoming years.

Introduction

The increasing global demand for energy has created heavy dependence on fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Their continuous use causes major environmental problems due to greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and climate change. Since transportation consumes a large portion of fossil fuels, electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as an effective solution to reduce pollution and dependency on conventional fuels. EVs provide advantages such as zero exhaust emissions, low maintenance, silent operation, and better energy efficiency. However, their major limitation is limited driving range due to battery capacity and long charging times.

To overcome these limitations, researchers are developing self-charging electric vehicle technologies using renewable energy and energy recovery methods. Two important approaches include solar energy integration and regenerative energy generation using vehicle wheel rotation. In the proposed system, mechanical energy from wheel rotation is converted into electrical energy using a DC generator (dynamo). The generated power is regulated through a DC boost converter and stored in a 12V battery, which can supply energy to auxiliary loads such as LED lighting.

The main problem identified is the dependence of EVs on external charging sources, long charging duration, limited charging infrastructure, and reduced battery life due to frequent deep discharge cycles. A self-charging system can help recover energy during vehicle operation and improve overall energy efficiency.

Previous studies have explored regenerative braking, electromagnetic energy harvesting, bicycle-based energy generation, and intelligent energy management systems. These studies show that energy recovery techniques can improve battery performance, increase driving range, and reduce energy wastage.

The proposed system consists of an electric vehicle wheel, DC generator, boost converter, lithium battery, Arduino controller, voltage sensor, current sensor, LCD display, and LED indicator. The wheel rotation provides mechanical input, which is converted into electrical energy by the dynamo. Arduino monitors voltage and current values and displays real-time charging information.

Experimental results showed that increasing wheel speed increased electrical output. At 20 RPM, the system generated 1.8V and 0.216W, while at 120 RPM it produced 11.6V and 5.57W. The results confirm that wheel rotational energy can be successfully converted into usable electrical energy. The system works automatically without human intervention and can support low-power applications.

The major advantages of the self-charging EV system include:

• Sustainable energy generation from vehicle motion
• Reduced dependence on external charging stations
• Extended battery range
• Improved energy efficiency
• Lower environmental pollution
• Reduced operating costs
• Increased reliability through additional power generation

Although the system has limitations such as lower power generation at slow speeds and mechanical energy losses, improvements in generator efficiency, converter design, and mechanical systems can increase performance. Overall, the proposed self-charging electric vehicle concept provides a promising approach toward sustainable transportation by reducing fossil fuel dependence and improving renewable energy utilization.

Conclusion

The system successfully demonstrates a reliable approach to convert wheel electric vehicle rotational movement into electrical power. The project aims to create an automated power generation system which generates and stores energy without using outside electrical resources. The experimental results confirm that rotational energy from the wheel can be successfully converted into electrical energy using a DC generator. The system uses a DC boost converter to control power output which it then keeps in a 12V battery for later utilization. Sensor and microcontroller integration enables the system to achieve better efficiency together with enhanced monitoring capabilities. The voltage and current sensors continuously measure the electrical parameters of the battery, and the Arduino controller processes this information and displays it on the LCD screen. The system provides real-time information about energy production and storage activities. The system automatically starts when the wheel begins to turn, which makes it useful for electric vehicles and any equipment that uses rotating parts. The produced power is sufficient for operation of low-power systems which include lighting and monitoring equipment. The proposed system enhances energy efficiency by demonstrating sustainable power generation technologies which lead to better energy efficiency results.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Mr. Anjum I. Sawan, Ms. Neha Kautkar, Ms. Achal K. Nimje, Ms. Swati B. Sawarkar, Ms. Ashlesha G. Tumsare, Ms. Nehal V. Nagrare. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.