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

  • VW ups its use of plug-in hybrid technology
    May 16, 2012
    At last week's 32nd International Vienna Motor Symposium, the chairman of the Volkswagen Group, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, announced that the group will be going into production with a range of important models with plug-in hybrid technology starting in 2013/14.
  • TRL pledges support for global initiative at UN Climate Summit
    October 2, 2014
    The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)’s chief executive Rob Wallis, attending the United Nations Climate Summit in New York last week, was delighted to be able to pledge TRL’s support to the UEMI initiative, by UN-Habitat. “The UEMI initiative, aimed at substantially increasing the adoption of electric vehicles within urban environments, aligns strongly with TRL’s own strategy and current activities,” Wallis explained. “TRL is actively engaged in leading innovative research programmes to understan
  • New ETI report highlights technologies to cut carbon emissions in shipping
    January 24, 2017
    The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has published a new report in which it highlights affordable measures and technologies that could be taken to reduce the fuel consumption and carbon emissions from shipping. The International Maritime Organisation has stated that maritime emissions could rise by up to 250 per cent by 2050 compared to 2011 levels unless action is taken. According to ETI, eliminating fossil-fuels for shipping does not appear credible in the next few decades; it believes the best
  • Pivot Power: 'We need to rethink the EV customer experience'
    October 10, 2018
    Electric vehicles will increasingly become a key part of the mobility mix but charging infrastructure is currently patchy. Adam Hill talks to Matt Allen of Pivot Power about disruption, horses, slot machines – and the importance of customer experience. Electric vehicles (EVs) – including buses, taxis and cars for individual and shared use – are already a common sight on our roads. They are not yet ubiquitous. But that will come. There will be around 30 million electric cars in the world by 2030 (as they