48 V Hybrid System Technologies to Develop the Most Efficient and Cleanest Diesel

The tighter exhaust emissions standards introduced by governments for light duty vehicles are challenging car manufactures to meet at the same time legal emission limits and fuel efficiency improvements, still providing excellent fun to drive characteristics. The Hybrid and Diesel propulsion systems are two important players on that competition. In this scenario, the 48 V hybridization has the potential to become a cost-effective solution compared to High Voltage systems, outlining a new way to approach the well-known trade-off between CO₂ and NO_x in Diesels.

Aim of this study has been to investigate the benefits offered by a P0 48 V Hybrid system when coupled with a 1.6 L Diesel engine in a 7-seat multi-purpose vehicle. Extensive simulations and testing activities have been conducted using a prototype propulsion system to assess the efficiency improvements, the emission reduction and the overall performance benefits in a holistic approach, given the strong influence of the interaction between sub-systems in the optimization results.