Semiconductors and 42 - V power supplies

Increases in future automobile voltages will directly and indirectly affect semiconductor devices in every automotive electronic system.

Increasing electrical power consumption is straining the existing 12-V supply system of current vehicles. At some point in the not-too-distant future, manufacturers will have to change to a higher voltage to support improved emissions, safety, and new vehicle options. With the increased growth in vehicle loads (4%/year for the past two decades and about 100 W per year for the last five years), vehicle manufacturers are running out of time to define and then implement a standard.