Content provided in partnership with

Automotive Industry

Europeans Lead The Charge On 42-Volt Systems - Brief Article

Automotive Industries, Sept, 2000 by Dale Jewett

The drive to dramatically reduce vehicle emissions, particularly in light trucks, combined with a host of new convenience features is drawing automakers to the switch from 14-volt to 42-volt electric systems in the near future.

That switch will begin with the 2002 model year on two vehicles, says a recent study by Standard & Poor's DRI:

* One vehicle is a small European car that will have dual 12- and 36-volt batteries and make use of an integrated starter/alternator.

Renault has said it would be first in Europe with 42 volts, but study leader Philip Gott says another automaker will be first.

Most Popular Articles in Autos: Service Slants; 2007 utility vehicle buyer's guide: Side-By-Sides are popular; here's who ...; Transmission considerations: beyond the manual gearbox; Buell Motorcycle engineering, innovation, & dedication: in an industry ...; 100 + 10: America's oldest automotive magazine celebrates its 110th year ...; More »

* The other is a luxury sport-utility Vehicle for North America, using a 12-volt battery, with the extra power being used to provide supplemental heating. By 2004, the vehicle will use the increased voltage to power a steer-by-wire rear axle.

Growth will accelerate from there. The study estimates that up to 35 percent of the light vehicles produced in North America, Japan and Europe will be equipped with 42-volt systems.

"Among European automakers, there's a definite feeling that they want to be the leaders in 42-volt technology and do it sooner rather than later," says Gott, director of Americas Consulting for Standard & Poor's Global Automotive Group.

But in North America, automakers and suppliers have gotten into a circular debate.

"In the United States there's this perceived barrier to 42 volt by OEMs that the supply community is not ready," says Gott. "But the suppliers say they are waiting for a firm commitment by automakers before making their investments."

Other highlights of the survey include:

* Japanese automakers have trailed in the development of 42-volt systems for light vehicles. The first launch is anticipated in 2003 for a Japan-market multipurpose vehicle, where the system will help provide added traction.

* Adopting a 42-volt architecture enables a fuel economy increase of 10 percent or more without automakers making huge capital investments.

Those gains come from the ability to convert accessories such as power steering and water pump from engine driven to electric.

Automotive Industry

Europeans Lead The Charge On 42-Volt Systems - Brief Article

Automotive Industries, Sept, 2000 by Dale Jewett

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Technology

Most Popular Articles in Autos

Most Popular Publications in Autos