A 48-volt Li-ion battery would be used in vehicles in conjunction with a 12-volt lead-acid starter battery. This enables greater energy and power efficiency while keeping overall system costs to a minimum, Johnson Controls says. The 48-volt Micro Hybrid battery enables greater fuel savings than current Start-Stop systems and is more cost-effective than hybrid or electric vehicle systems, according to the company.

This Micro Hybrid technology has huge potential. By using the 48-volt battery vehicles can save between 15 and 20 percent in fuel.

—Holger Jetses, head of Johnson Controls Power Solutions EMEA

The maximum power of the 48-volt battery would be enough to operate applications such as electric air-conditioning systems, active chassis control, storage and recuperation of brake energy and, if necessary, supply power to the drive system. The 12-volt battery furthermore would continue to power other components such as lighting and control units.