Dec 31 2013
Stop-start vehicles (SSVs), which eliminate idling by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stationary and restarting it automatically when it is time to move, offer a portion of the fuel economy benefits of hybrid vehicles at a fraction of the cost premium.
Having proved popular with consumers because of its better fuel economy and the engine silence when it is stopped at an intersection, stop-start technology is seen as a low-cost and highly beneficial investment for auto manufacturers. Click to tweet: According to a new report from Navigant Research, worldwide sales of SSVs will grow from 8.8 million in 2013 to 55.4 million in 2022.
“The latest stop-start systems are beginning to adopt some of the features that were first developed for full hybrid vehicles, such as energy recovery through regenerative braking,” says David Alexander, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “The challenge for automakers is to get the biggest efficiency benefits from the smallest cost increment.”
One challenge for this market, according to the report, is that stop-start technology goes by many different names, depending on the region of the world and the automaker. Automakers tend to assume that most consumers do not want to know how their vehicles work to achieve fuel efficiency, so they focus on promoting positive outcomes instead. However, some consumers would be more likely to ask about optional packages if consistent terminology were used in the descriptions and if the benefits were more clearly explained in marketing and advertising materials. Greater clarity across the industry in communicating the advantages of SSV technology could increase sales of SSVs for all manufacturers, the study concludes.
The report, “Stop-Start Vehicles,” analyzes the opportunities and challenges present in the global market for light duty SSVs, also known as micro hybrids, idle stop vehicles, and a variety of other names branded by automakers. The report examines stop-start component systems, including the technologies used for energy storage. Global forecasts for light duty SSV, lead-acid battery, lithium ion battery, and ultracapacitor sales by world region extend through 2022. The report also provides a detailed analysis of the benefits, drivers, and market barriers for SSVs and profiles key market players. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.