48 Volt Vehicle Electrical System

In 1918 enabled by the fitment of a new six volt positive ground electrical system the hudson motor car company became the first volume motor manufacturer to offer a self starter.

48 volt vehicle electrical system.

As vehicle technology progresses so too does the vehicle s appetite for electrical power. Audi to upgrade its vehicle electrical systems to 48 volts antony ingram august 25 2014 comment now. Automakers are having a tough time running all the new fangled vehicle control and safety systems using the 12 volt electrical systems currently used today. Bosch continental delphi and valeo are among the key components makers working to provide 48 volt systems to automakers.

Examining the advantages and challenges of converting to 48 volt vehicle systems from 12. In a 48 volt electrical system the alternator could be made smaller with the same output. What is a 48 volt system. The need for cars to get more efficient and the desire of customers to have more equipment in.

The potential applications of 48v are exciting representing a huge innovation in automotive design. An audi a6 tdi concept and an rs 5 tdi concept. What 48 volts can do. This has basically been agreed to be the highest voltage that can be used before expensive safety features become required.

In the mild hybrid system a 48v battery is added alongside the traditional 12v battery. The latest specialist evs will be using components that more power additional torque and with automation and smart engineering greater intelligence. There is either an 800 or 400 volt battery in the vehicle. Both models are fitted with an electrically powered compressor that acts like a supercharger from practically zero rpm eliminating turbocharger lag.

As modern cars become more sophisticated and demand more electrical power to drive components such as turbochargers and water pumps as well as electrical motors that will actually power the car and computer systems that will enable autonomous driving so their electrical systems will have to move from the existing 12 volts to a more powerful one with 48 volts. Audi has showcased its 48 volt electrical system with two technology demonstrators. Most so called 48 volt systems will typically operate between 52v maximum and 36v minimum but may see brief excursions to as high as 54v or as low as 24v.