Source: Bosch

Automakers worldwide are all striving to cut carbon dioxide emissions, which in practice means reducing cars’ fuel consumption. Bosch has systematically designed its new 48-volt battery to do precisely that. Similar to the Bosch e-axle, this innovative battery is standardized for easy integration into new vehicle models.

The lithium-ion cells Bosch uses are as compact as possible while still achieving a reduction in CO₂. The battery requires no active cooling and its housing is made of plastic, not metal, factors that reduce unit costs. The plastic housing presents a real challenge, as lithium-ion cells expand when the battery is charging and over the course of the unit’s service life. As a result, the housing must withstand a certain amount of stress. Bosch engineers rearranged the cells in the 48-volt battery so that even plastic housing can bear the pressure.

A 48-volt hybrid can considerably cut its fuel consumption through the use of a boost recuperation system (BRS). A conventional car loses energy whenever the driver brakes, but the BRS stores this braking energy in a 48-volt battery and applies it later when the driver accelerates (electronic boost). This requires less fuel — and produces less CO₂ in the exhaust.

With more than half a million models sold, China is by far the world’s largest market for electric vehicles. China’s automakers are looking to the 48-volt hybrid system to help emissions goals.

Production of the new Bosch battery is scheduled to start in late 2018.