How Much Fuel Can a 48V Mild Hybrid System Save?
2 Answers
After multiple tests, it was concluded that 48V mild hybrid technology has an insignificant impact on vehicle emissions but a significant effect on fuel consumption, ideally achieving around 15% fuel savings. The principle of the 48V mild hybrid system involves adding a 48V auxiliary motor between the engine and transmission without altering the engine compartment layout. Its main functions are twofold: first, to save fuel and improve the smoothness of the engine during low-torque phases; second, to reduce the electrical load of the vehicle. Below is more detailed information: Advantages of the 48V Mild Hybrid System: 1. Electrical Load: Many drivers encounter situations where they idle the engine while waiting, listening to music or the radio to pass the time. The vehicle's electrical system operates at only 12V, and turning on the air conditioning, audio system, and other electrical devices further increases the load. If the engine is not started, the battery may drain within two to three minutes, making it impossible to start the vehicle. With a 48V mild hybrid system, the vehicle has a higher-capacity battery, making it feasible to listen to music with the engine off and use more in-car electrical devices without worry. The system will start the engine when the battery is nearly depleted to prevent a dead battery. 2. Fuel Savings and Low-Torque Smoothness: Engines, especially small-displacement turbocharged ones, often experience insufficient power during low-torque phases, requiring drivers to press the accelerator harder to compensate, which maximizes fuel consumption. The 48V auxiliary motor primarily addresses this issue by intervening during vehicle startup to reduce engine load and mitigate the jerky feeling caused by low torque. During driving, the 48V mild hybrid system, like plug-in hybrids, performs energy recovery to save fuel. 3. Performance: The Changan CS55 equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system feels noticeably more responsive during startup compared to conventional models, with good fuel-saving results. The advantage in electrical load reduction is particularly significant, eliminating concerns about a dead battery.
I've been driving that car with the 48V mild hybrid system for half a year now, and it feels quite cost-effective. Previously with a pure gasoline car, my combined urban-suburban driving fuel consumption was around 8L/100km, but now it's dropped to about 7L, saving me over 12%. The best part is how the system automatically assists during startup – the electric motor gives the engine a helping hand, so it doesn't struggle, and I don't need to floor the accelerator. The fuel gauge drops much slower now. But these numbers aren't fixed – it really depends on your driving conditions. For me, steady highway driving saves even more, and it still helps a bit in city traffic jams. I've done the math: at current fuel prices, I'm saving a few hundred bucks annually on gas, enough for some small purchases. My advice is to test different modes before buying and choose configurations that match your driving habits.
