Valeo is seeing a rise in demand for parts and technical support for 48-volt mild hybrid vehicles, and the company is urging garages to prepare for this growing segment of the UK car parc.
Even as the industry transitions towards fully electric vehicles nearly 20% of new cars sold last year were mild hybrid.
Back in 2004, Valeo kickstarted the Stop-Start revolution with their starter alternator reversible system (StARS) on the Citroen C4. Sensors monitored battery charge and vehicle operation, allowing automatic engine shutdown and restart. The result was reduced CO2 emissions and fuel consumption—a win for the planet and our wallets.
Valeo hasn’t eased off the accelerator. They offer Stop-Start solutions for original equipment and aftermarket needs. Think i-StARS, ReStart, and the freshest addition: the 48-volt integrated belt starter generator (i-BSG), which does it all —regenerative braking, coasting, a boost function, and full electric drive.
Stephen Knight, Trade Marketer at Valeo, explains: “We proposed the first 48-volt system in 2012 to tackle CO2 emissions. Now, with EVs on the rise, mild hybrids (employing 48-volt systems) are the sweet spot.”
By 2035, Europe’s car parc will mostly be filled with EVs, but 48-volt mild hybrids won’t fade—they’ll still account for around 15%. Valeo currently offers 32 part numbers for these systems, including remanufactured options. Eco-friendly and versatile—just what the garages ordered.
Valeo’s not just about parts, with technical training—popular with technicians—ensuring garages nail diagnostics and repairs.
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