Skip to main content

Autonomous driving and emissions regulations fuelling 48v power-net

The launch of autonomous vehicles and a host of electronic components render the current 12-volts (v) battery nearly unusable, says a new report by Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of the Global 48v Power-net Market. To meet stringent global emissions regulations and offer a basic semi-autonomous system, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must electrify components while offering a bigger source of power. Therefore, OEMs plan to migrate to a 48v power-net and use two voltages. Heavy-duty, power-h
February 17, 2017 Read time: 3 mins
The launch of autonomous vehicles and a host of electronic components render the current 12-volts (v) battery nearly unusable, says a new report by 2097 Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of the Global 48v Power-net Market.

To meet stringent global emissions regulations and offer a basic semi-autonomous system, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must electrify components while offering a bigger source of power. Therefore, OEMs plan to migrate to a 48v power-net and use two voltages. Heavy-duty, power-hungry and parasitic applications such as rear-window heating, supercharger and pumps will port to the new 48v power-net. This shift will reduce vehicle weight, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The report evaluates the current status, challenges, market size, future potential and impact of the 48v power-net market on the automotive value chain. Regions assessed include North America, Europe, and Asia (China and South Korea).

“OEMs such as 1685 Mercedes Benz, 2125 Audi and 994 Volkswagen will migrate completely to 48v mild hybrid solutions by the end of 2025, in addition to offering plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) across the model range,” said Frost & Sullivan Mobility research analyst Manish Menon. “Audi and Volkswagen are looking at improving the vehicle performance in terms of ride and handling, and are expected to offer chassis components like roll stabilizers and electric dampers as 48v applications. Mass-market OEMs such as 278 Ford and 948 General Motors are in a wait-and-watch mode and will likely offer 48v across the model line-up rather than as a trim level option.”

Other noteworthy drivers for the migration and adoption of a 48v include:

48v is the ideal platform to push more electrified components into the market, offering consumers instantaneous response at a considerably lower price point compared to PHEVs.

An increased on-board power-net voltage such as the 48v is expected to increase the output power threshold by four times compared to the current 12v power-net, better managing higher power requirements and reducing the electrical current levels.

48v facilitates the switch from hydraulic and mechanical belt-driven systems to electrically powered ones, thus reducing the mass and volume at a vehicle level as well as allowing for more packaging flexibility and reduced packaging constraints.

Migrating to a 48v power-net will allow for accessories to be located outside the engine bay, allowing for lower-weight packaging, higher fuel efficiency and lower tailpipe emissions.

“Despite best efforts to develop new battery technologies and improve existing ones, numerous barriers remain that require attention, such as issues with reliability, safety and migration strategies,” noted Menon.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Global V2V penetration into new vehicles to rise by 2027
    June 13, 2013
    A new report from ABI research concludes that global vehicle to vehicle (V2V) penetration into new vehicles will increase from just over 10 per cent in 2018 to 70 per cent in 2027, with the EU, US, and Japan as key regions adopting V2V in the mid-term. “V2X market and regulatory dynamics vary greatly from region to region. While the US will decide whether or not to mandate V2X by the end of 2013 with implementation not expected before 2018, in Europe the Car 2 Car Communication Consortium (C2C-CC) has issue
  • Nokia’s Here Maps sold to BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen
    July 28, 2015
    After months of negotiation, Nokia sells the HERE Maps division to the German consortium, BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen for US$2.71 billion, according to the BMW blog. The3 news has yet to be confirmed by Here or the other auto makers. The deal would see HERE Maps turn into an open platform, which all car manufacturers can use for navigation and mapping inside vehicles. The three German car makers plan to offer the platform to Fiat Chrysler, Renault, Peugeot, Ford, Toyota and General Motors, allowing them
  • Fleet management systems to reach 7.1 million in Europe by 2018
    October 15, 2014
    According to a new research report from analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of active fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in Europe was 3.65 million in quarter 4 2013. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.2 per cent, this number is expected to reach 7.10 million by 2018. A group of international aftermarket solution providers has emerged as leaders in the European fleet management market. Masternaut reported an active installed base of close to 350,000 units
  • Electric bus sector is game changer for battery market
    March 4, 2016
    According to Dr Victoria Adesanya-Aworinde, technology analyst at IDTechEx, the electric bus (e-bus) market is growing at a CAGR of 20 per cent in terms of unit sales. She says the rapid growth is a game changer for the battery market as electric buses require large-sized batteries ranging from 74 kWh (fast charging e-bus) to over 300 kWh (slow charging e-bus). IDTechEx Research forecasts that the e-bus battery market will overtake the consumer electronics sector by 2020. The new IDTechEx Research repor