Audi will be adding a 48-volt electrical system to its cars, with examples on how the 48-volt technology will be used in production cars to be revealed later.
"We are using the full bandwidth of electrification in our drive principles strategy. Running part of the vehicle electrical system at 48 volts plays a central role in this," commented Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi. "It enables us to make more energy available. That paves the way for new technologies with which we can make our cars more sporty, more efficient and more convenient to use."
According to Audi, the 12-volt electrical systems found in all cars are at the limits. Especially at low temperatures, all the various static?load consumers can account for the entire power generated by the alternator, which can deliver up to 3 kW. 12-volt battery power is no longer capable of meeting the demands of new devices such as electric compressors for forced induction.
The 48-volt system that runs separate from the 12-volt system is a solution. A higher voltage means smaller cable cross-sections are needed; this translates into lighter cable harnesses with lower power dissipation. The12-volt lead battery will be replaced by a compact lithium?ion battery supplies 48 volts as the energy source during engine?off phases, with a DC/DC converter supplying the 12-volt system. This is paired to a new efficiency-optimized 10 kW alternator.
A 48-volt electrical system was recently showcased with the Audi A6 TDI concept and RS5 TDI concept earlier this year. The concepts were fitted with an electrically-powered compressor for forced induction, which operates independently of the engine load. Audi also says they've developed solutions to improve dynamic chassis control based on 48-volt technology as well, with applications in this field to showcased soon.
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