What are the reasons for electric vehicles' brakes failing to stop?
2 Answers
Electric vehicles' brakes failing to stop can be attributed to the following reasons: Lack of necessary maintenance: Insufficient maintenance of the braking system, excessive impurities in the brake master cylinder, or failure of the vacuum booster pump; Improper operation leading to mechanical failure: For example, prolonged downhill driving can cause the brake pads to overheat due to friction, carbonization of the brake drum, and complete failure of the braking function; Severe overloading: Severe overloading increases the vehicle's inertia due to gravitational acceleration, directly leading to brake failure. Methods to prevent brake failure: Regularly inspect the brake pedal, brake discs and pads, brake vacuum booster pump, and brake master cylinder. When checking the brake pads, also examine the wear on the brake discs or drums, and regularly inspect and replace the brake fluid.
When I was driving an electric car before, I encountered a situation where the brakes didn't work properly, which really scared me. Later, after inspection, it turned out that several factors might have been at play. The braking system of electric cars is quite complex, combining traditional hydraulic brakes with regenerative braking, which uses the motor to recover energy to assist in deceleration. The issue could have been with the regenerative system, such as the battery being too full or a malfunction in the battery management system, which weakened the regenerative effect, leaving the mechanical brakes to do all the work and resulting in significantly reduced deceleration. It could also be due to excessive wear on the brake pads or discs; if maintenance is neglected over time, they can wear down, reducing friction. Alternatively, the brake fluid might have been insufficient or contaminated, or there could have been a leak or air in the hydraulic system, causing no response when pressing the pedal. Faulty sensors could also interfere, such as incorrect readings from wheel speed or acceleration sensors, preventing the ABS from activating. My advice is to slow down immediately and pull over to check if this happens—don't risk driving far. Quickly take it to a professional shop to replace the fluid or parts. Regular maintenance can prevent major issues; I have a mechanic check the brake system every six months.
