Supplying the Multi-Energy platform

During most of the 43 years since U.S. Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards became law, the typical vehicle platform-unibody or full-frame, with one ICE-based propulsion source running on hydrocarbon fuels-has essentially remained unchanged. It's gained complexity, for sure. But it's fundamentally the same old horse.

As electrification arrived during the last decade, OEMs began to package batteries, electric drive motors, DC-DC converters and power electronics into structures never ‘protected’ for such equipment when originally designed. Opportunities to save mass, improve package and manufacturing efficiency and reduce the bill of material are compromised as a result.