What is Mild Hybrid?
2 Answers
Mild hybrid refers to mild hybrid electric vehicles, which in a sense are actually plug-in hybrid vehicles. Power-split hybrid electric vehicles are a type of hybrid vehicle that combines both series and parallel driving modes. The powertrain includes an engine, generator, and electric motor, and can be further classified into micro hybrid, mild hybrid, medium hybrid, and full hybrid vehicles. The electric power system used in hybrid vehicles includes highly efficient and enhanced electric motors, generators, and batteries. The batteries used can be lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium batteries, and in the future, hydrogen fuel cells may also be used.
I just researched mild hybrid systems and find them quite interesting. A mild hybrid adds a small electric motor (usually 48V) to assist traditional combustion engines - like a little helper. It allows the engine to completely shut off when stopped, making restarts at red lights exceptionally smooth and quiet. During acceleration, the motor gives the engine a boost for quicker power response. It also recovers energy during deceleration to store in its small battery. The most obvious benefits are about 10% better fuel economy and reduced emissions. However, it can't run on pure electric power - you still burn fuel in traffic jams. The installation cost is slightly higher than conventional vehicles but much cheaper than plug-in hybrids. Many car models now adopt this solution as a transitional technology.
