Electric vehicle manufacturers are starting to adopt 48-volt electrical systems. The latest specialist EVs will be using components that have more power, additional torque, and – with automation and smart engineering – greater intelligence. The potential applications of 48 volt battery are exciting, representing a huge innovation in automotive design.
With more technical capability, comes a greater need for power. For specialist vehicles, this need for power only grows. Like passenger vehicles, specialist EVs can reap the benefits of this higher voltage system without the size and/or weight trade-offs. The solution for many is adopting higher-voltage 48V from typical 12V systems. Thanks to advancements in engineering: it has no lighting or surge requirements and the range is more limited to 30 – 60V.
Typical 24 volt systems have been popular in Europe for some time. In the early 2000s, proposals for 42-volt systems fizzled out because of cost concerns and practicality. Compared with 24V, only half as much current is required to get the same power. Today, the industry seems better prepared, thanks to a better understanding of their capabilities.
