2 POWERTRAIN REVOLUTION
What trends are driving powertrain advancement?
Power plant choices
Variety of power plant choice is a major driver in technology development for powertrains. Today, cars can
draw power from multiple energy sources including traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs), HEV or
hybrid electric drivetrains using both gas and electric energy sources, PHEV or plug-in electric vehicles, that
use rechargeable batteries as a power source, and BEV, or battery electric vehicles, that use no ICE but run on
a fully electric drivetrain powered by a rechargeable battery.
For the auto industry, the lineup of alternative power sources may match production commitments steered by
a variety of factors, including government regulation aimed at CO2 emissions reduction, energy costs, access
to fuel replenishment infrastructure, advancements in relative technology up and down the powertrain, and
consumer sentiment.
A January 2017 report from McKinsey & Co. found that some sizeable barriers exist in consumer
understanding of power plants. While virtually 100 percent of consumers in the U.S. and Germany understand
how an ICE vehicle works, only about half would say the same for electric or related vehicles. Moreover, while
30 to 45 percent of consumers consider an EV or HEV purchase, less than 5 percent in either country actually
purchase an EV.
(1)
McKinsey says in its report that consumers are concerned about driving range and the high cost of battery
packs. That said, McKinsey adds that EV sales have grown at a rapid pace over the past five years, with a
recent surge in Europe and China, and that they expect a shift to EVs to continue to gain momentum.
(2)
''McKinsey's survey of Chinese consumers shows that interest in 'new energy vehicles' or NEVs (covering
both BEVs and PHEVs) has tripled over the last five years. This sharp increase is due in part to significant
government support for NEVs, which includes substantial investments in an improved EV-charging
infrastructure, increased purchase subsidies, tax exemptions, and fewer restrictions for EVs regarding license
plate access and restricted driving days in Tier-1 cities,'' the report said.
(3)
48V Hybrid (>60) PHEV EV / FCV
Voltage
stabilization
+ Recuperation
+Sailing
+ Electric park
+ Drive support
+ Electric drive
+ External charge
+ Extended electric drive
