Panel 4: Mild hybrid - developing optimal performance/cost ratio system configurations and standardize technical solutions for mass production

Driven by stricter mandatory regulations on fuel economy improvement and CO2 reduction, market penetration of electrified vehicles will increase in the next 10 years, among which mild hybrid will become a leading sector in growth. Researchers forecast the sales of mild hybrid vehicles will reach 1.4 million units per year by 2020, and 7 million units by 2024. Compared to a full hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle, a mild hybrid system stands out due to its maximum benefit/cost ratio. Major automotive OEMs and suppliers are heavily investing in mild hybrid system development and platform integration. There are different kinds of mild hybrid system architectures, multiple available motor technologies, various challenges in inverter design particularly under low voltage/high current operating conditions, in addition to a battery pack/battery management system and a DC/DC converter. This panel will focus on mild hybrid systems and discuss how to develop optimal performance/cost ratio system configurations and standardize technical solutions for mass production.