Mild Hybrid Vehicle (MHV) is a vehicle driven by a combustion engine and is a vehicle that cannot be driven solely on its electric motor because the electric motor does not have enough power to propel the vehicle on its own. Mild hybrids only include some of the features found in hybrid technology, and usually achieve limited fuel consumption savings, up to 15 percent in urban driving and 8 to 10 percent overall cycle.
A mild hybrid is essentially a conventional vehicle with oversize starter motor, allowing the engine to be turned off whenever the car is coasting, braking, or stopped, yet restart quickly and cleanly. Accessories can continue to run on electrical power while the gasoline engine is off, and as in other hybrid designs, the motor is used for regenerative braking to recapture energy. As compared to full hybrids, mild hybrids have smaller batteries and a smaller, weaker motor/generator, which allows manufacturers to reduce cost and weight. Mild hybrids also have a small electric motor, but unlike full hybrids, it is solely used to assist the petrol engine. The car cannot drive on battery power alone.
These are similar to Hybrid Electric Vehicles but can’t be driven without the help of an internal combustion engine.
Energy recuperated is used for propulsion and auxiliary functions.
MHV powertrain is usually less complex compared to HEV.
Often Combustion Engine is equipped with a compact belt-driven 48V starter-generator motor that replaces the starter and generator, and a 48V battery is added.
Due to higher voltage, more energy can be recuperated when decelerating or going downhill. The electric motor can start the engine with the vehicle in gear, making take-off with stalled combustion engine smooth and instantaneous.
48V starter-generator can also be mounted differently and be uncoupled from combustion engine by transmission or clutch. This might allow a 48V electric motor to move the vehicle without starting the combustion engine. In this case, a 48V-equipped vehicle should be counted as Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
In terms of the degree of hybridization, the Mild Hybrid is a vehicle that cannot be driven solely by its electric motor because it does not have enough power to propel the vehicle on its own. Mild hybrids only include some of the features found in hybrid technology and usually achieve limited fuel consumption savings, up to 15 percent in urban driving and 8 to 10 percent overall cycle.
A mild hybrid is essentially a conventional vehicle with an oversize starter motor, allowing the engine to be turned off whenever the car is coasting, braking, or stopped, yet restart quickly and cleanly. Accessories can continue to run on electrical power while the gasoline engine is off, and as in other hybrid designs, the motor is used for regenerative braking to recapture energy. Compared to full hybrids, mild hybrids have smaller batteries and a smaller, weaker motor/generator, allowing manufacturers to reduce cost and weight. Mild hybrids also have a small electric motor, but unlike full hybrids, it is solely used to assist the petrol engine. The car cannot drive on battery power alone.