April 13, 2013—According to a new report from Navigant Research, vehicles with stop-start capability are expected to account for 55 percent of all light-duty vehicles sold by 2024, increasing from 22 percent in 2015.
The report analyzed the opportunities and challenges present in the global market for light duty stop-start vehicles (SSVs), including global market forecasts for light duty SSVs, segmented by technology and region, through 2024.
Stop-start systems allow the engine to stop automatically instead of idling when a vehicle is stationary, and to quickly restart when it is time to resume driving.
The systems are gaining increased acceptance from both automakers and vehicle owners, according to Navigant. Besides providing greater fuel economy, advanced stop-start functionality also requires that other systems are electrified and made more efficient.
“The basic stop-start system is gradually evolving into one piece of a multifaceted approach to improving fuel economy in light duty vehicles,” says David Alexander, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “This is spurring the development and implementation of ancillary systems, such as air conditioning, power steering, and brake assistance, that are only activated when required, rather than being a small but constant drain on engine output.”
North America has been a target market for SSVs since the technology was embraced in Western Europe, according to the report, but initial rollouts were met with a wave of consumer resistance. Manufacturers are now refining system performance to appeal to American drivers. Smoother and faster operation is key to gaining acceptance for stop-start systems in North America, the report concludes.
The report, "Stop-Start Vehicles," examined the major components of stop-start systems, with a focus on the technologies used for energy storage, including lead-acid batteries, lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries, and ultracapacitors. Global market forecasts for light duty SSVs, segmented by technology and region, extend through 2024. The report also contained profiles of the key market players and detailed analyses of the benefits and market drivers and barriers related to light duty SSVs.
