48-volt electrical system

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A 48-volt DC electrical system voltage is a relatively low-voltage electrical system that is increasingly used in vehicles. It began in the 2010s as a way to increase the propulsion and battery recharge during braking for fuel savings in internal combustion engine vehicles, especially mild hybrid vehicles. [1]

Contents

History

Traditionally, vehicle low voltage applications were powered by a 12-volt system. In the 1990s, an attempt by a cross-industry standards group to specify a 42-volt electrical system failed to catch on and was abandoned by 2009. [2] During the 2010s, renewed interest arose for a 48-volt low-voltage standard for powering automotive electronics, especially in hybrid vehicles. [3]

In 2011, German car manufacturers Audi, BMW, Daimler Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen [4] agreed on a 48V system supplementing the existing 12V network. [5]

In model year 2017, the Renault Scenic dCi Hybrid Assist was the first 48V mild-hybrid passenger car.

As of 2018, a 48V electrical subsystem operated production vehicles such as Porsche and Bentley SUVs. Audi and Mercedes-Benz used a 48V subsystem in 2018 vehicles such as A6, A7, A8 with 3.0 TDI 48V mild-hybrid, CLS, E-Class, S-Class with M256 3.0 Turbo Otto 48V Mild-Hybrid. [6]

Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Ceed and Kia Sportage followed in model year 2019 with 1.6 and 2.0 turbodiesel engines supported by 48V mild-hybrid technology.

A European automotive trade association, CLEPA, estimated in 2018 that as many as 1 of every 10 new vehicles in 2025 would use at least one 48 volt device in the vehicle, covering 15 million vehicles per year. [7]

In March 2023, Tesla Inc. revealed that the Tesla Cybertruck and next-generation vehicle would utilize a 48-volt mid-voltage subsystem as a replacement of 12V system, migrating the low-voltage components with highest power demand to 48V. [8]

In December 2023, in order to accelerate the adoption by other automakers of 48 V system voltage for automotive components, Tesla offered a "48-volt electrical system whitepaper"

to all industry leaders. CEO Jim Farley confirmed that Ford had received a copy and agreed to 'help the supply base move into the 48-volt future". [9] Tesla adopted 48 volts for its Optimus robot. [9]

Benefits

A 48V system can provide more power, improve energy recuperation, [7] and allow up to an 85% decrease in cable mass. [10]

12-volt systems can provide only 3.5 kilowatts, while a 48 V power could achieve 15 to 20 kW or even 50 kW. 48 volts is below the level that is considered safe without special protective measures. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ Tracy, David (January 13, 2017). "Everything You Need To Know About The Upcoming 48-Volt Electrical Revolution In Cars". Jalopnik .
  2. ↑ Allen, Mike (1 October 2009). "Whatever Happened to the 42-Volt Car?". Popular Mechanics . Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  3. ↑ Why Cars Are Moving to 48-Volt Electrical Systems, Bill Howard April 26, 2017 https://www.extremetech.com/cars/247889-cars-moving-48-volt-electrical-systems
  4. ↑ Vollmer, Alfred (June 14, 2011). "Deutsche OEMs setzen Standards". all-electronics (in German).
  5. ↑ Hammerschmidt, Christoph (June 16, 2011). "German carmakers agree on 48V on-board supply, charging plug". eeNews Automotive.
  6. ↑ Mayersohn, Norman (February 8, 2018). "To Power the Future, Carmakers Flip on 48-Volt Systems". The New York Times (subscription required).
  7. 1 2 48 VOLT: A proven technology to reduce CO2 and NOx emission, CLEPA, 2018 https://clepa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CLEPA-48v-technology.pdf
  8. ↑ Schulz, Bailey (November 30, 2023). "What we learned from the Tesla Cybertruck delivery event about price, range and more". eu.usatoday.com . Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "5 Tesla Cybertruck Features That Didn't Make It Into Production and Five No One Saw Coming". AutoEvolution. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  10. ↑ 48-V Systems: What You Need to Know as Automakers Say Goodbye to 12 V, 21 July 2023, Today, 48-V power systems are already helping improve the efficiency and performance of ICE and mild hybrid vehicles, but they will become an essential technology for tomorrow's EVs, Lee Goldberg, Related To: Electronic Design https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/article/21269271/electronic-design-48v-systems-what-you-need-to-know-as-automakers-say-goodbye-to-12-v
  11. ↑ Texas Instruments Bullish on 48-Volt Automotive Systems, Dan Carney, March 31, 2021 https://www.designnews.com/electronics/texas-instruments-bullish-on-48-volt-automotive-systems
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