Hyundai Mobis (KRX:012330) succeeded in developing the core technologies of the 48V Mild hybrid vehicle (hereinafter referred to as 48V Mild HEV), which will become one of the mainstays of future environment-friendly car trends, one after another. It’s creating tangible results in related markets. Hyundai Mobis is planning to advance these technologies and aggressively make inroads into the market where it is in the early application stage around the world.

Hyundai Mobis announced on April 25 that it succeeded in developing the ‘converter integrated 48V battery system’ for the ‘48V Mild HEV’ on its own and it is making the final preparations for mass-production scheduled for next year. Hyundai Mobis integrated the converter and the battery system, which used to be applied separately, into one system. To meet the latest trends, i.e. weight reduction and downsizing, it not only reduced the weight, volume and cost but also improved cooling efficiency. As hybrid vehicles have many parts in addition to the engine, it is especially important to secure design space and reduce weight through integration.

As there are many technical difficulties, such as the heat and electromagnetic interference anticipated in the process of integrating the two control boards for the converter and the battery system into one, even global automakers are having difficulty securing necessary technologies. Hyundai Mobis overcame these difficulties and secured safety at a level that meets the European battery safety standard, ECE R100 (Economic Commission of Europe – Regulation100).

In addition to the converter integrated battery system, Hyundai Mobis succeeded in developing the technologies for the electronic components that meet the specifications of 48V, e.g. the inverter integrated starter & generator, which is the driving component of 48V, MDPS (Motor-Driven Power Steering), iMEB (Integrated Mobis Electronic Brake) and the electric compressor, and it is now verifying the performance through ongoing tests.

The industry regards the ‘48V Mild HEV’ as the intermediate stage between the existing hybrid car and the internal combustion engine vehicle, or as a niche market. Unlike hybrid vehicles with a separate drive motor, the ‘48V Mild HEV’ can improve fuel efficiency by more than 15% by simply replacing the starter & generator of the existing internal combustion engine vehicle. It is attributable to its simple power assistance, and the improvements made by the regenerative braking and ISG (Idle Stop & Go) function.

The ‘48V Mild HEV’ uses 48V, 4 times higher than the previous, for electronic components that require notable output. If the voltage is increased, the thickness and volume of electric wires inside a vehicle will be drastically reduced, and the efficiency of electric power delivered to various electronic devices can also be improved.

Currently, the ‘48V Mild HEV’ is in its infancy, that is, it is being applied to only a very small number of vehicles in the world. As the related market is not fully mature as of yet, if one can secure the competitiveness of core technologies earlier than others, the market will be preemptible. It is truly a blue ocean market. Swiss investment company UBS forecasts that the ‘48V Mild HEV’ will account for about 10% of all vehicles sold in 2025.

About Hyundai Mobis

Hyundai Mobis is a global tier-1 automotive supplier. It was established in 1977, and is headquartered in Seoul, Korea. The corporate philosophy is to become a lifetime partner with technologies for automobiles and people.

Hyundai Mobis currently employs about 30,000 people. Manufacturing operations are over 30 locations in 10 countries, including Korea, China and the US. Product ranges are wide; automotive modules (chassis, cockpit & front-end), brakes, steering, suspensions, airbags, lamps and automotive electronics.

R&D headquarter in Korea and 4 technical centers worldwide; Germany, China, India and the US. Hyundai Mobis has mass-produced a great number of DAS technologies and green car components.

For more information, please visit the website (http://en.mobis.co.kr).