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MAINZ, GERMANY (January 27, 2016) – Current mild-hybrid vehicle projects, in partnership with Ford and Hyundai/Kia, that utilize advanced 48V lead-carbon batteries, can reduce CO₂ emissions by 15-20%, according to the latest data from the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC).

This week the ALABC exhibition stand at the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference (25-28 January, Mainz) is publicizing these impressive results of its demonstration vehicle program.

The T-Hybrid (based on a Kia Optima) and the ADEPT (based on a Ford Focus) both utilize an advanced 48V lead-carbon battery system with bolt-on electrical components that allow for significant engine-downsizing without loss in performance. This engine downsizing means less fuel usage and subsequently much lower CO₂ emissions compared to the base vehicle – including a 16% reduction in the Kia Optima.

“The low additional cost of introducing 48V mild-hybrid powertrains is continuing to attract automakers because it is the most cost-effective means of complying with stringent CO₂ regulations over the next 10 years,” said Alistair Davidson, representing ALABC.

The ADEPT vehicle has undergone early testing, and is targeted to cut CO₂ emissions levels to 75g CO₂/km – far below the EU requirements for CO₂ levels. New automotive designs in the EU are currently required to emit no more than 130 grams of CO₂ per kilometre (g CO₂/km), and by 2021, automakers will need to reduce that by an additional 28% to meet the requirement of 95g CO₂/km.

Advanced lead batteries are 99% recyclable, and are significantly cheaper than alternative battery technologies used in HEVs while providing an affordable cost-to-benefit ratio – one that can allow car manufacturers to seamlessly incorporate the systems into future models.

The 48V vehicles also solve some of the problems with making 48V low-emission systems appealing to the general consumer.

Allan Cooper, who has been coordinating demonstration projects for ALABC, said:  “By downsizing and down-speeding the engine to reduce CO₂ emissions, you significantly reduce the vehicle’s performance, making it less ‘fun to drive’,” he said. 

“But by adding electrical components like the Valeo supercharger and the CPT SpeedStart ISG, you can give a 1.4 litre engine the performance of a 1.8 litre engine or better, and still provide the same enhanced emission benefits.  In essence, this system allows you to reduce fuel consumption with additional electrical components, but increase performance while still maintaining a low production cost because of the use of lead-carbon batteries.”

END

Notes to editors

About the 48V Kia Optima T-Hybrid

Project Partners: ALABC, Hyundai Motor Group, AVL Schrick, Valeo, and East Penn Manufacturing

This concept vehicle is powered by the Optima’s existing 1.7 litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine, paired with a Valeo 10 kW electric starter generator and electric supercharger powered by a 48V version of East Penn’s lead-carbon UltraBattery® system. 

The diesel-electric powertrain concept enables the T-Hybrid (turbo-hybrid) to be driven in electric-only mode at low speeds and when cruising, with deceleration serving to recharge the battery pack.  It includes start-stop functionality and regenerative braking, but also provides the enhanced power and torque at low speeds that have made it so popular in test drives.

Note: Some of the support for the Kia Project was obtained through special funding from ALABC members like the RSR Corporation, the Doe Run Company, Teck Metals, Acumuladores Moura, Britannia Refined Metals.

About the ADEPT 48V

Project Partners: ALABC, Ford Motor Company, Ricardo, CPT, Provector, Faurecia, the University of Nottingham, and the University of Sheffield

The ADEPT (Advanced Diesel Electric Powertrain) combines low-cost, micro/mild hybrid technologies similar to those in the LCSH with a high degree of synergy to reduce current class-leading C-segment CO₂ emissions by an additional 15-20%.  Based on a Ford Focus, this vehicle is projected to cut CO₂ levels to 75g/km while indicating a pathway to 70g/km at a cost/emissions reduction ratio superior to a full-hybrid solution.  

The system includes regenerative braking and other efficiency improvements for optimized oil flow and pressure control, as well as a 48V electric turbine that captures exhaust waste heat for conversion to additional recovered electrical energy. However, unlike the T-Hybrid, it does not have an electric supercharger but will rely solely on the starter/generator for initial torque assist on the engine.

About the ALABC

The Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium is an international research co-operative comprised of lead producers, battery manufacturers, equipment suppliers, application developers, and research facilities organized to enhance the performance of lead batteries for a variety of markets, including hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications and various other energy storage systems.  A program of the International Lead Association, the ALABC pools the resources of its global membership in order to perform specific research on advanced lead batteries that otherwise would not be possible by any single entity.  For more information about the ALABC, visit www.alabc.org.