Delphi says 48-volt mild-hybrid systems could offer 15% CO2 reductions

Delphi believes that 48-volt mild hybrids could offer significant CO₂ reductions and driver benefits for cars in the future. Speaking at the IAA 2015 (Frankfurt Motor Show), Christian Schäfer, Global Director of Advanced Electrical and Electronic Architectures at Delphi, told Automotive Engineering that there are several drivers for the technology that were not present 15 years ago.

“The main driver is the carbon dioxide threshold of 95 g/km fleet average in 2021 across the European Union,” he said. “The idea is that we have a mild hybrid, so we don't need high-voltage on all cars because it is too expensive to implement. We would have 48-volts, especially in the low segment, up to C-segment cars. Then we could have a belt-driven starter/alternator and can use it as an e-boost if you don't have a rear drive unit, so the alternator is an electrical machine to boost the combustion engine.”