What is a 48V mild hybrid system and what are its benefits?

A 48V mild hybrid system adds a belt-driven starter-generator and lithium-ion battery to enable stop-start, regenerative braking, electric boost, and smooth restarts. The 48V architecture avoids high-voltage safety requirements while providing more power than 12V systems (up to 15 kW vs 3 kW). Benefits include 10-15% fuel savings, elimination of turbo lag through electric boost, and smoother stop-start operation. It is a cost-effective electrification step before full hybridization.