The Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) is paving the way for a new generation of micro-mild hybrid cars with a demonstrator.

Its latest 48 volt technology demonstrator will take centre stage this week at a major international battery conference in France focused on the activities of European carmakers, where its preceding 12 volt demonstrator will be available for carmakers to ride and drive.

“The LC Super Hybrid programme was conceived by the ALABC and CPT to show that without destroying the power, torque and acceleration - and hence spritely performance with all the fun and enjoyment of driving a car - significant CO2 reduction can be achieved through electric hybridisation at low voltages below 60 volts supported by the latest lead-carbon batteries,” said Allan Cooper European project coordinator ALABC.

“Most significantly the high performance and low fuel consumption of this new breed of micro-mild hybrid cars can be achieved at a quarter of the add-on costs associated with more expensive high voltage mild, full, plug-in and range extended hybrids and battery electric vehicles.  Moreover, the low voltage electrification of the powertrain deploying nominal 12, 24 and 48 volt grids keeps it below the critical 60 volt high voltage safety threshold.”

Boris Monahov programme manager of the ALABC said: "The big benefit of lead-carbon batteries is their long cycle life in HEV applications – well above 100,000 road miles – comparable to the life of the vehicle."

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