What is the difference between 48V mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid?
2 Answers
48V mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid differ in the following ways: 1. Different working principles: The 48V mild hybrid system consists of a 48V lithium-ion battery pack and an integrated starter/generator. The battery pack is installed at the rear of the vehicle or under the rear seat, and the mild hybrid starter generator replaces the traditional alternator and starter motor. Plug-in hybrid, as the name suggests, is a hybrid vehicle that requires plugging in a charger to charge. This type of vehicle is equipped with a conventional internal combustion engine, a small electric motor, and a battery pack, with the battery directly connected to the electric motor. 2. The 48V mild hybrid is more efficient but costly. The 48V electrical system provides many new technologies for vehicles, which is a future development trend. Compared to PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), it is more efficient and can create more possibilities. However, the downside is that the integrated generator and starter motor result in higher repair costs if damaged, and the failure rate is also higher than that of conventional vehicles.
My car is a 48V mild hybrid, and my friend just bought a plug-in hybrid. Comparing the two, each has its own strengths. The 48V mild hybrid is like giving a gasoline car a little helper, mainly connected to the engine via a belt. The start-stop at traffic lights is super smooth, and the motor gives a subtle push during acceleration, saving a bit of fuel but not making a huge difference. The plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, can run over 50 kilometers on pure electric power. My friend basically doesn’t burn any fuel during their daily commute, saving a lot on electricity costs. The downside is having to charge it every day—without a home charger, it’s a hassle. My 48V system requires no charging at all, and the tiny battery (just a fraction of a kilowatt-hour) is incredibly durable. The price difference is even more noticeable—the plug-in hybrid costs nearly 100,000 yuan more, and maintenance involves dealing with two systems. If you have a short commute and can install a charger, the plug-in hybrid is a no-brainer. But for someone like me who prefers simplicity, the 48V system is more than enough and hassle-free.