BAS (belted alternator starter) is a category of automotive parallel hybrid technology that uses an electric motor to contribute power to the internal combustion engine's crankshaft via a serpentine belt. By mounting this motor generator unit in the conventional location traditionally used for the standard automotive alternator, it permits a low-cost method of adding mild hybrid capabilities such as start-stop, power assist, and mild levels of regenerative braking. BAS systems differ from other mild hybrid systems as they are not run off the vehicle's crankshaft.
Toyota
In June 2001, Toyota introduced a BAS hybrid system under the Toyota Hybrid System-Mild (THS-M) brand name.[1] It operates similarly to other mild hybrids with a start-stop system, in that it shuts down the engine as the vehicle comes to a stop and instantly restarts it when the brake pedal is released.
THS-M is capable of modest power assist during launch acceleration and similarly modest levels of "blended" regenerative braking during deceleration. A 36-volt lead–acid battery (housed in the vehicle's trunk and operating in a 42-volt electrical system) is used to operate a permanent magnet motor/generator unit mounted to the engine in a similar fashion to a conventional alternator. Then, through a high-tension drive belt, the motor/generator unit is capable of starting or assisting the engine. A conventional 12-volt battery and starter motor are retained and used whenever the engine is cold as during initial start-up.
Although unable to operate in pure all-electric EV mode, THS-M improves city and highway fuel efficiency over non-hybrid versions. According to Toyota, the system provides a 15% increase in fuel economy.[1] The system is designed to be simple and easily adaptable across a wide range of vehicles, with no significant modifications required to the vehicle chassis to accommodate the system. This allows THS-M vehicles to be produced on the same assembly line as non-hybrid versions, producing substantial cost savings and allowing production to be adjusted more easily.
The first production model equipped with THS-M was the eleventh generation Toyota Crown Royal Saloon Mild Hybrid, introduced in August 2001, combining the system with a 3.0 L 2JZ-FSE straight-six engine.[2] It was followed in October 2002 by the Toyota Crown Sedan Super Deluxe Mild Hybrid, which combines the system with a 2.0 L 1G-FE engine.[2]
General Motors
Generation I BAS
General Motors introduced a BAS hybrid system in the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line. The BAS is in the 2008–2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.[3] It operates on the same principle as Toyota's THS-M using a 36-volt electrical system (at 42–45 volts).
According to the EPA, the 2009 Saturn Vue BAS hybrid garners an improvement of 32% city (19>25mpg) and 24% highway (26>32mpg) making the combined economy improvement 27% (22>28mpg) over the base 4-cylinder FWD version.[4] The system is reasonably simple and inexpensive, making BAS equipped vehicles some of the least expensive hybrids available.[5][6][7]
Vehicles with the BAS system use a conventional 4T45-E automatic transmission which has been modified to include a more efficient final-drive ratio and includes an electrically driven pump to provide pressure in auto-stop mode. The air conditioning compressor continues to be operated through a belt-driven pulley, but for fuel economy improvement it can be disabled in auto-stop mode if the "ECO" A/C mode has been selected by the operator.
Cobasys, which supplies the BAS system's battery pack, had to conduct a recall in 2008 due to apparent internal leakage of the battery modules.[8]
Citing supplier issues and slow sales, GM has relegated the 2010 model year BAS hybrids to "fleet only" status.[9]
Generation II BAS (eAssist)
At the LA Auto Show, on November 15, 2010, General Motors announced that it would be releasing an all-new version of the BAS system available in the 2012 Buick LaCrosse.[10] While still a Belted Alternator Starter system, the system is named eAssist and includes a larger more powerful Hitachi-supplied[citation needed] 115-volt lithium-ion battery and a 11.2 kW (15.0 hp) motor-generator that delivers 79 lb⋅ft (107 N⋅m) of torque. The additional power provided by the more powerful battery and motor provides the ability to contribute more power, and more often able to electrically start and assist the 2.4L engine. The eAssist system also includes a specially modified GM 6T40 6-speed automatic FWD transaxle.[11][12]
Generation III (BAS3)
A third generation was introduced in the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra and can improve fuel efficiency by about 13%. This adds about 100 lb (45 kg) to the total weight of the truck but provides an additional 13 hp (10 kW) and 44 lb⋅ft (60 N⋅m). The eAssist system includes a modified GM 8L90 automatic transmission. It uses the same battery cells from the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and the software is a modified version of the Chevrolet Volt's.[13][14]
Other names
- Belt-driven starter generator (BSG)
- Belt-driven integrated starter generator or belt mounted integrated starter generator (BISG or B-ISG)
- Belt-driven starter alternator or belted starter alternator (BSA)
- Dynastart
Vehicles
- 2001–2003 Toyota Crown Royal Saloon Mild Hybrid
- 2002–2008 Toyota Crown Sedan Super Deluxe Mild Hybrid
- 2007–2009 Saturn Aura Green Line
- 2007–2009 Saturn Vue Green Line
- 2008–2010 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- 2012–2014, 2018-2019 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist
- 2012–2014 Buick Regal with eAssist
- 2013-14 Chevrolet Malibu with eAssist
- 2014 Chevrolet Impala with eAssist
- 2016 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra with eAssist, only in California
- 2017 Audi A8[15]
- 2017 Audi A7[16]
- 2019-2020 Jeep Wrangler with eTorque
- 2019 Ram 1500 with eTorque
- 2022 Jeep Wagoneer with eTorque
- 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee with eTorque
- 2021 FIAT 500 Hybrid and FIAT Panda Hybrid,[17][18] with BSG (Belt-integrated Starter Generator)
See also
References
- ^ a b "Toyota's "Mild Hybrid" System Boosts Fuel Efficiency 15%" (Press release). Japan: Toyota. 2001-06-12. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
- ^ a b "Technical Development-HV and FC". Toyota. 2012. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ [1] Archived December 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Side-by-Side Comparison". Fueleconomy.gov. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ [2] Archived June 22, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Saturn Aura Green Line - Review". Hybrid Cars. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
- ^ Sam Abuelsamid. "Saturn Aura Green Line approved for tax credit". Green.autoblog.com. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
- ^ Korzeniewski, Jeremy (2008-06-03). "Doh! Battery leakage hurts GM hybrid production — Autoblog". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ Stoll, John D.; Terlep, Sharon (June 11, 2009). "GM Pulls Plug on Hybrid Model". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Migliore, Greg; Vaughn, Mark (2011-10-15). "L.A. auto show: Buick gives the LaCrosse an electric assist". AutoWeek. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ^ "2012 LaCrosse Comes Standard With New eAssist Fuel-Saving Technology, For 37 Mpg Highway Fuel Economy In A Full-Size Sedan" (Press release). General Motors. 2010-11-15. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ "2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist achieves up to 37 mpg highway". Autoblog Green. 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ^ Smirnov, Andre (19 November 2016). "2017 GMC Sierra 1500 eAssist Hybrid: Is There Future in Hybrid Pickup Trucks? [Video] - The Fast Lane Truck". www.tfltruck.com. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ "Chevrolet Introduces 2016 Silverado with eAssist". media.gm.com. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ "Versatile and efficient: mild-hybrid technology". Audi MediaCenter. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "Second-generation Audi A7 Sportback features standard 48V MHEV system with gasoline or diesel engines". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "features". www.fiat.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-07-23.
- ^ Ruiz, Álvaro (2023-10-27). "Probamos el Fiat Panda Hybrid: el coche con etiqueta ECO más barato no puede ser más básico, pero cumple con lo que promete". Motorpasión (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-23.
Bibliography
- "Saturn Vue Greenline". Motor Trend. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2007.
- "Going Green". AutoWeek. Retrieved January 9, 2005.
- "Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid Delivers Great Fuel Economy Through New, Lower-Cost Hybrid System". General Motors press release. Archived from the original on February 3, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2006.
- "Saturn Vue Green Line Uses New, Less Complex Hybrid System". General Motors press release. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2006.