Continental builds something greater from “mild” 48-volt foundation

Continental 48V full hybrid systemWhy aren’t there more full-fledged hybrid vehicles—models that provide the kind of efficiency gains that really pay off in fuel savings over time? Blame the bean-counters. With Toyota and its mammoth economies of scale with high-mileage hybrids perhaps the one exception, a set of critical components that need to go in full...

Hybrid or not, 2019 Ram 1500 eTorque does some smart things with 48V tech

eTorque system in 2019 Ram 1500As more mainstream vehicles, like the 2019 Ram 1500 lineup, get increasing levels of electrification, but stop short of becoming fully electric or even full-fledged hybrids, it can be easy to get lost in semantics. Generally speaking, the term “mild hybrid” means some energy can be recaptured by a motor/generator, but the motor might...

Mercedes-Benz takes the electric car plunge, but diesel is here to stay

Mercedes-Benz EQA concept, 2017 Frankfurt auto showDaimler AG executives said Tuesday that diesel power for Mercedes cars is here to stay, even as electric cars and electrified mobility spreads throughout its passenger and commercial vehicles, and even its global partnerships. Electrified vehicles include everything from 48-volt mild hybrids through plug-in hybrids to battery-electric cars. At the...

Ikea invests in hybrid-vehicle builder XL Hybrids

XL Hybrids Ford F-250XL Hybrids carved its niche in the vehicle-electrfication segment by offering hybrid conversion kits for regular gasoline-powered vans, commercial trucks, and pickups. Thus far, the Boston-based start-up has found success and a recent round of venture capital funding raised another $22 million. Notably, Swedish furniture company Ikea Group...

Ikea invests in hybrid-vehicle builder XL Hybrids

XL Hybrids Ford F-250XL Hybrids carved its niche in the vehicle-electrification segment by offering hybrid conversion kits for regular gasoline-powered vans, commercial trucks, and pickups. Thus far, the Boston-based start-up has found success and a recent round of venture capital funding raised another $22 million. Notably, Swedish furniture company Ikea Group...

Bosch creates off-the-shelf 48-volt battery for mild-hybrid systems

Bosch 48-volt lithium-ion battery for mild-hybrid systemsWhether car buyers are ready or not, many future cars will boast some sort of electrification. The numerous announcements from automakers declare their brands will begin electrifying all vehicles post a certain date; to be clear, that does not mean cars will be solely electric. What it does likely mean is a widespread adoption of 48-volt...

48-volt mild hybrids heading toward ubiquity in Europe as diesel declines

Johnson Controls 48-volt lithium-ion micro-hybrid batteryPublic concerns over diesel cars, and their ebbing sales, have become a well-documented phenomenon in Europe after decades of popularity. When the VW diesel scandal exposed deliberate cheating, and real-world testing revealed that no virtually no diesels certified for sale actually met emission limits, automakers across the industry adopted rapid...