[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by genxer

What are Honda's mild hybrids like? on what cars? I had the impression Ram's(Dodge's) were just next gen battery-starter/generators with a higher volt battery. How is that a big difference versus a new vehicle with start-stop?

This is how we defined hybrids when I was at GM. Same definitions hold since I’ve been with IHS Markit / S&P Global:

• STOP / START: Engine turns off when vehicle comes to a stop. Restarts when driver lifts foot off brake. Provides no tractive effort or assist. Operates off separate 12V battery, usually AGM, or lithium ion. Costs the automaker about $2-300 per vehicle.
  
  
• MILD HYBRID: Usually powered by a 48V battery. Similar to Stop/Start except they can provide engine-off launch and propel the vehicle for very short distance at very low speeds. Ram eTorque system is a 48V mild hybrid. It operates belt driven off of the accessory belt. Can provide torque assistance to the ICE, allowing the ICE to work less, saving fuel. Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system operates at higher voltage (108V I think?) and has an electric motor positioned between the engine and transmission. It provides some tractive effort at launch. After launch, the motor acts as a generator, putting energy back into the battery. 48V mild hybrids typically cost the automaker $1,200-3,000 per vehicle. Typically use a 48V battery, and less than 1kWh storage battery.
  
  
• FULL HYBRID: What most people think of when they hear “hybrid”. There are several different types of Full Hybrid. The rarest is a Series Hybrid. It runs on either petroleum fuel or electricity, but not both at the same time. When it’s running on electricity, the ICE acts as a generator replenishing the battery. Parallel Hybrids can run on ICE, electricity, or blend both. Prius. Operating voltage varies wildly by automaker. Storage battery is typically right around 1.5 - 2 kWh. Costs automakers $5-12,000 per vehicle.
  
  
• PLUG-IN HYBRID: Pretty much a Full Hybrid but can be plugged in to receive and store energy from the grid. Usually have larger electric motors than Full Hybrids and as a result they are capable of driving engine-off at higher speeds and for longer distances than Full Hybrids. They also are able to provide significant torque and power assists to the ICE, allowing for unexpected performance. Camaros should not line up next to Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrids unless you have a lot of faith in your tune. Typical 0-60 is 3.5s. Batteries are typically 12-20 kWh. Costs automakers $15-30,000 per vehicle, depending on number of motors and battery size.
  
  
• EREV: Extended Range Electric Vehicle. Operates as an electric vehicle until it can’t. Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma are the two best examples. They have an ICE, but the ICE is typically only used as a generator to replenish the battery. Since these vehicles plug in, they can go for months without the ICE ever turning on. The biggest differences between PHEVs and EREVs is that for PHEVs the top EV speed is typically electronically limited at anywhere from 35 mph to in some cases 70 - 80 mph. Above the EV speed limit, the ICE engages and splits duty with the electric motors just like a Full Hybrid. An EREV can drive its entire speed range on electric only. Batteries are typically 15-20 kWh. Costs automakers $15-30,000 depending on number of motors and battery size.