The drive for lower emissions standards combined with the increasing electronics content in automotive especially in higher power applications such as active suspension, regenerative braking and various electrical motors and pumps are driving the need to consider supplementing the 12V rail with a higher voltage.  The automotive Industry has been considering this higher voltage node for decades, starting with the 42V proposal in the 90’s finally settling the level at 48V systems.  The 48V rail provides enough guard band to avoid the 60V shock threshold avoiding the need for extra protection, the orange cabling/connections and specialized support equipment in the case maintenance and accidents. 

The main goal of the dual 12/48V architecture is to optimize the existing mild and micro-hybrid technologies today such as stop start and regenerative braking. The 48V systems enables the electrification of high power consuming applications that are currently driven by a mechanical belt in the likes of heating and cooling components and roll stabilization systems. The future goal is to improve carefully selected existing systems that were already electrified for example electric power steering (EPS). These improvements could cover simplification of the electric systems as well as simplified assembly technologies and reduced overall system cost.  On average, estimates show the 48V mild hybrid systems will provide a CO2 emissions reduction of 10-20%.  While cost is added to the system, 48V systems are estimated to be ~50% cheaper than full hybrid and electric vehicles and provide a good compromise to meet the stringent