Hybrid tech in India to get a boost with SEG Automotive’s new strategy
Germany based SEG Automotive, which specializes in (S) starter motors, (E) electrification components and (G) generators, are launching their new ‘Whitepaper’ engine efficiency strategy for India that focuses on mild hybrid technology for compact cars and light commercial vehicles.
Locally, the company operates out of Nagnathpura in Bengaluru and believes that it knows the trick to tackle the growing environmental problems in India. And that would be by mass hybridization of the ICE. According to Anil Kumar, MD, SEG Automotive India, the ICE coupled to highly efficient start/stop motors and advanced mild hybrid drivetrains is the best option to go with and can reduce significant amounts of CO2 emissions during the life cycles of passenger’ cars and light commercial vehicles in India.
To serve this purpose, they showcased their new SC60 starter motor. This 2.2kg motor can reduce upto to 8% CO2 emission and fuel consumption in compact cars. It does that by automatically shutting down the engine when the vehicle is at idle, hence reducing fuel consumption and improving the overall fuel economy. Thanks to the sensors at the pedals and the crankshafts, the engine can be instantly reignited by pressing the clutch, avoiding the hassle of going through a conventional ignition method. According to the company, if all PCs in Delhi alone were equipped with a start/stop function, more than 400,443 tonnes of CO2 can be saved each year. We’ve already seen this technology in many premium cars but it’s the first time we are getting to know a firm that specializes in it.
Another new product that they have in line for India is a new 48V Boost Recuperation Machine for diesel hybrids. This motor, when coupled to an ICE, uses brake force recovery technology to charge a 48V lithium ion battery. It converts the kinetic energy produced by braking to electrical energy, which then is stored in the battery. This stored energy functions as a ‘torque booster’ to reduce the turbo lag from diesel motors and it can even be employed in an additional ‘Coasting’ function for relaxed yet efficient driving. According to the company, the 48V BRM can produce as much as 10kw (13bhp) and 56Nm of torque from 12kw (16bhp) of energy recuperation.
They also highlighted the fact that pure EVs make sense only when the source of electricity production is clean. In countries like France and Norway where a major chunk of power is generated by nuclear and hydropower plants, EVs can reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50%. But in developing markets like India and China, electricity production is still dependant on polluting thermal powerplants and hence pure EVs is not an outright solution. Kumar said that millions of passenger cars in the world are already employing the starter motor and mild hybrid technology. But due to confidentiality reasons the names of the OEMS were not disclosed.
Given the lack of infrastructure in India for EVs, the mild hybrid systems surely look promising for a start atleast. Though it remains to be seen how fast manufacturers adapt to this technology and at what additional costs. SEG Automotive was previously a part of Bosch GmbH and now functions under the ownership of a Chinese firm called ZMJ Group that produces mining machinery.
