Micro Hybrid Battery Systems

Bridging the Gap between Electric and Conventional Vehicle Technologies

Low-voltage vehicle electrification, such as Micro Hybrid battery systems, bridges the gap between conventional vehicle battery technology and full hybrid electric vehicle technology. Micro Hybrid systems use dual battery architecture to reduce vehicles’ annual fuel consumption by as much as 15 percent.

The Technology

The first 48-volt Micro Hybrid battery system was introduced in 2013, following investment and research into advanced battery technologies that improve the fuel efficiency of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles while avoiding the costs associated with full hybrid electric vehicle technologies.

Leveraging dual voltage architecture, Micro Hybrid battery systems integrate a 12-volt lead-acid starter battery and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery. The 12-volt battery powers conventional electrical systems (e.g., vehicle starter), while the lithium-ion battery is designed to quickly capture energy from braking and run vehicle accessories that require higher power (e.g., air conditioning). While a conventional hybrid vehicle battery pack typically consists of 300–400 volts and improves fuel economy by 25–30 percent, Micro Hybrid systems are just 48 volts and improve fuel economy by up to 15 percent.

The Benefits

• Increased efficiency: Due to the efficiencies created in the electrical system, as well as other parts of the vehicle, when two batteries work in tandem, Micro Hybrid systems have the potential to cut a vehicle’s annual fuel consumption, and emissions, by as much as 15 percent.
• Cost savings: Unlike traditional full hybrid vehicle systems, which add thousands of dollars to the cost of a new vehicle, Micro Hybrid systems cost around $1,000.

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