Valeo support for 48-volt hybrid segment grows

Date: Tuesday 16 July 2024

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Stop-Start 48-volt hybrid vehicle systems are increasingly common, and Valeo is urging garages to make sure they are up to date with this technology as the car parc shifts towards full electrification. 

While 600 new EV models are set to join the market across Europe in 2025, hybrids still make up a significant proportion of the car parc. Figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that 19.6% of new cars sold in the UK last year were mild hybrids, taking in both diesel and petrol variants.

Valeo pioneered Stop-Start technology in 2004 with the introduction of the starter alternator reversible system (StARS) on the Citroen C4 using sensors to monitor battery charge and vehicle operation, enabling automatic engine shutdown and restart. The innovation swiftly garnered attention for its significant reductions in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

Since then, Valeo has retained its lead in this area, offering Stop-Start solutions for both original equipment and aftermarket applications. Innovations include i-StARS, ReStart, and the latest addition, the 48-volt integrated belt starter generator (i-BSG), which provides additional function to vehicles such as regenerative braking - storing energy for later use, coasting, a boost function, and full electric drive.

The company is providing both parts and training to make sure that garages can take on this significant segment. “Valeo proposed the first 48-volt system in 2012,” said Stephen Knight, Trade Marketer - Rotating Electrics for Northern Europe at Valeo. This was intended to help vehicle manufacturers reduce CO2 emissions. What originally started as a solution to help reduce CO2 ultimately grew into a major part of the market. “Over the next 10 years, and particularly since around 2017 there has been a major increase in EVs, mainly focused on mild hybrids employing 48-volt systems.”

While the market is going to shift again, 48-volt systems are expected to remain in the mix.  “The European car parc will shift towards being majority EV by 2035,” said Stephen, “but at that point an estimated 15% will still be 48-volt mild hybrids.”

Currently, Valeo offers 32 part numbers for 48-volt systems, including 16 new parts and a further 16 remanufactured parts. “It is important to offer both a new and a remanufactured solution,” said Stephen, “in terms of environmental impact, but also to offer a range of options to garages.”

Valeo is also making sure they are keeping their customers up to date: “We also offer technical training,” said Stephen, “which is extremely popular with technicians and garages. 48-volt system vehicles are extremely common right across Europe, including the UK, so technicians need to understand the tech to conduct appropriate diagnostics and right first time repairs.”

With garages seeing more 48-volt system vehicles, Valeo’s training offering continues to draw in technicians.  “As we move towards 2035 and the switch-over to EVs, mild hybrids remain relevant. There's a real hunger to learn about them, and our training is very popular.”

Valeo offers a number of training options, including webinars. For more information, visit: https://www.valeoservice.co.uk/en-uk/online-training

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