Vitesco’s new ‘Dedicated Hybrid Transmission’ technology will boost the PHEVs market

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Vitesco came up with new DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission) for hybrid vehicles

The Vitesco Technologies

Dedicated Hybrid Transmission: The Vitesco Technology is a German automotive supplier for drive technologies. It is a division of Continental AG and it develops solutions for electric drives and electric powertrain. Or now we can say that Continental’s new powertrain spin-off is now called the Vitesco Technologies. Let’s come to know about the company’s new hybrid transmission technology.

Key highlights of the DHT

• DHT stands for the “Dedicated Hybrid Transmission”
• Provides same driving comfort as conventional 6 speed automatic transmission
• Compact in size
• Low cost
• Will support up to the 120 km/h in all-electric mode, and up to 160 km/h in hybrid mode.

According to a study, in 2030 more cars of the electrified drive-train would be sold in the market than any regular IC engine car. And this would be the very first time in history that in China and Europe one in four vehicles will run on electric power. As per the study of Boston Consulting Group – the battery price will fall by 80% between 2014 and 2030 (expected). The gasoline car market will fall in future in the same way like diesel cars now a day.

This whole scenario will increase the demand of electrified vehicle. Plug-in Hybrid will also play a major role in that adoption curve. What one thing which pulling behind the demand of PHEVs are their cost. Currently, due to the range anxiety people are thinking to go for the PHEV but its price is more.

Why PHEVs have high price tag?

The plug-in hybrid has two power-train systems- gasoline/diesel engine and an electric motor. The cost of an electric motor and battery is additional and along with that any hybrid vehicle uses a complex system of gear-train which is capable to perform on both the power sources (eMotor and engine). This system also puts the additional cost of the hybrid vehicle and this is even more mechanically complex. Due to the complexity sometimes it also creates problems in overall vehicle power-train packaging.

So, to reduce the complexity and make more cost effective the Vitesco came up with an extra-ordinary technology. DHT- Dedicated hybrid transmission for all hybrid vehicles.

DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission) in ‘CTI symposium in ‘

The Vitesco is a German automotive supplier for drive technologies. The company is working on the development solutions for electric drives and electric vehicles.

The company presented an extremely cost-effective and compact hybrid transmission solution with integrated electric machines at the CTI_symposium in Barlin 2019

Dedicated Hybrid Transmission functionality

The DHT is cost-effective and if we talk about its concept- it’s a 4 speed automatic transmission in which a high voltage electric motor is integrated into the output side of the transmission.

In this technology the 1^st and 2^nd gear as well as the reverse are performed by the electric motor, while the synchronization is performed by a starter-alternator which also works to start the internal combustion engine.

DHT driving experience

Talking about the driving comfort- Vitesco’s DHT offers the driver the same level of comfort while driving and shifting that until now has been associated with the plug-in hybrids having a conventional 6-speed transmission. The simplicity of the system makes it more preferable because it has only four mechanical gears and has no mechanical synchromesh system, auxiliary hydraulics or start clutch. The DHT for cost-effective PHEVs will work for speeds of up to 120 km/h in all-electric mode, and up to 160 km/h in hybrid mode.

Vitesco says:

As per Stephan Rebhan, Head of Technology & Innovation at Vitesco- “So far it has not been possible to tap the full potential of plug-in hybrids and full hybrids for reducing CO₂ emission because the expensive powertrain of these vehicles puts them out of reach for many customers. We have identified further potential here, which our DHT [Dedicated Hybrid Transmission] technology for cost-effective PHEVs is designed to leverage. With a view to cutting CO₂ emissions, PHEVs are a form of electric mobility which deserves to become much more successful in the future“.

My Words

By combining this technology with a low cost gasoline engine will help all the automotive manufacturer to bring down PHEVs cost low. Additionally, the comfortable and quiet operation of Vitesco DHT makes it a perfect choice for upcoming PHEVs. As the size is very compact then it will also help the vehicle designer to perfectly use it even for the front wheel drive vehicle in the transverse position. Currently, the OEMs like Hyundai and PSA are already using the fully integrated electric axle by Vitesco. Now this new dedicated hybrid transmission will tap into the zone where OEMs are willing to build the cost effective PHEVs.

We are expecting more hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road. The country like India will also get benefit with such innovative technology in the future.