The 48-V Mild Hybrid: Benefits, Motivation, and the Future Outlook

The automobile is a classic example of technology going full circle. Vehicle power sources, namely gasoline, electricity, and even hybrids, were first debated more than 120 years ago when more than 30% of vehicles operated on electricity. Pioneers like Thomas Edison and Ferdinand Porsche lauded the superiority of electrics in the late 1800s, with Porsche introducing the world's first hybrid around 1890. The debate has been dominated by the internal combustion engine since the early 20th century, when Karl Benz and Henry Ford both created methods to mass-produce more affordable petrol-based vehicles. Today, with pending CO
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regulations around the world that cannot be met solely by the current internal combustion engine, the industry is rapidly moving to implement multiple powertrain technology options. Of these, one of the more promising is the 48-V mild hybrid electric system, because it offers a cost-effective solution to immediately reduce emissions.