48V, the future of hybrid cars

One out of three cars on the planet is fitted with Valeo’s electrical systems. Always a pioneer, the inventor of the Stop-Start technology has now equipped an all-electric car prototype with a low voltage 48V motor that is much cheaper than a high-voltage electrical system. With an estimated cost of just 7,500 euros, the car can drive up to 150 km between charges and reach speeds of up to 100 km/h.

48V all-electric prototype

The low voltage (48V) electric motor can also be combined with a traditional engine for numerous benefits: the energy produced during braking and deceleration is re-used to power the vehicle, while fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are cut by 10%. That’s not all: a hybrid vehicle’s traditional 12V electrical system can be converted to 48V without major modification costs. Up to 4 million cars in China could be fitted with this technology by 2023. 48V: a smart and affordable solution, ideal for urban mobility.