Application of Low-Cost Belt Starter-Generator Hybrid Technology in Emerging Markets

The application of hybrid technology to vehicles brings benefits in improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. The growth in the global volume of vehicles being “hybridised” is an endorsement of the effectiveness of the technology. However the additional vehicle material and development cost is significant, particularly in cost sensitive markets such as India. Belt Starter-Generator (BSG) technology can provide a cost-effective route to achieve some of the benefits hybridisation brings, such as a stop-start feature when vehicles are stationary. Unlike some of the more complex hybrid solutions, for many applications BSG can utilise the existing vehicle 12 volt electrical architecture. This paper use a real life case study where BSG technology was applied in an emerging market, including the development and ownership of core hybrid technology by a vehicle manufacturer and the application of this technology through the local supply base. Key issues covered include:

Challenges in the application of BSG technology

• The value of vehicle manufacturers owning system designs and intellectual property
• A robust toolchain for hybrid vehicle / system / component development
• Partnership working to accelerate hybrid technology transfer in emerging markets
• Supplier selection and development for hybrid technology in emerging markets