INTEGRATED STARTER GENERATOR MARKET

INTRODUCTION

The Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) replaces the conventional starter and generator assembly and provides a convenient automatic vehicle start-stop system. The ISG is compact and light which will contribute to improving fuel consumption and thus better fuel efficiency.

A single ISG ECU replaces the starter motor, starter relay, ring gear, ignition unit, voltage regulator rectifier, and one-way clutch. This improves the overall efficiency of the vehicle.

INTEGRATED STARTER GENERATOR MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type of Hybridization Circuit

• Series Hybrid
• Parallel Hybrid
• Series Parallel Hybrid

By Mounting Type

• Belt Driven
• Crankshaft ISG

By Function

• Start-stop
• Power Generation
• Power Assist
• Regenerative Braking

By Vehicle Type

• ICE
• PHEV
• BEV
• Commercial Vehicles

By Geography

• US
• Europe
• China
• India
• ROW

BY TYPE OF HYBRIDIZATION CIRCUIT

In the series circuit, the ICE drives the alternator and generates current. It is stored in the battery and it runs the motor to drive the wheels.In a parallel circuit, both ICE and the motor drive the vehicle however at cruising speeds, only ICE drives the wheels.

The series circuit generally gives higher power output and runs with much more efficiency than the parallel ones. The series-parallel hybrid system uses a power split to switch from series to parallel and vice-versa.

BY FUNCTION

The start-stop function is the most common feature in every top-selling car in the top markets As it contributes to 15% less CO₂emission the function has dominated the market whether it’s an ICE vehicle, PHEV, or BEV.

BY VEHICLE TYPE

In the micro-hybrid vehicles, the ISG assists in performing only start and stop. In mild hybrid vehicles, ISG helps the engine by providing supplementary power during fast acceleration. The plug-in hybrid vehicles demand higher power output from the ISG as they have to supply current to the battery to power the vehicle's driving motor.

The below table shows the power run by ISG and its effects of:

US INTEGRATED STARTER GENERATOR MARKET

In the USA the top-selling cars feature the start/stop option. The regenerative braking option is also found in a few models such as RAM 1500 and Toyota RAV4. Among the LCVs, more than 10% of the trucks sold in 2019 featured a start-stop option in the region.

EUROPEINTEGRATED STARTER GENERATOR MARKET

The target to achieve average CO₂ emission for new passengers as 95 gm/km has positively affected the growth in the sales of hybrid vehicles immensely. Every top-selling car in Europe features a start/stop, keyless start, and automatic stop function. Vauxhall Corsa features a regenerative braking system too.

CHINAINTEGRATED STARTER GENERATOR MARKET

China has been the leading market in hybrid passenger cars. Among the top-selling cars, the start/stop function is found in most vehicles except for Wuling Hongguang and Nissan Sylphy.

INDIAINTEGRATED STARTER GENERATOR MARKET

The top-selling cars such as Baleno and Ertiga from Suzuki feature the smart hybrid feature. The introduction of ACG (Alternating Current Generator) in Honda scooters will propel the ISG penetration in the 2-wheeler segment.

INTEGRATED STARTER GENERATOR MARKET DYNAMICS

The increased concern to reduce carbon emissions is propelling various features and systems that achieve this. The ISG is one of those systems that have successfully been able to reduce carbon emissions upon its installation.

The features such as automatic start and stop, where the ISG helps the vehicle to turn off the engine/motor upon coming to a halt. The regenerative braking feature which helps to decelerate the vehicle by generating the electric power is powered by ISG. The ISG also assists the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) by providing supplementary power during fast acceleration.

Mitsubishi Electric’s 48V ISG system is directly coupled with the 48V hybrid vehicles. Mercedes in its hybrid models were the first to incorporate these ISGs in 2017.Compared to belt belt-driven starter-generator the crankshaft-mounted ISG produces higher output and generates more power.

INTEGRATED STARTER GENERATOR MARKET SIZE AND FORECAST

Suzuki UK was expected to launch a new range of hybrid cars Vitara, S-Cross, and Swift Sport by spring 2020. These vehicles are to feature 12V Hybrid SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) which consists of an Integrated Starter Generator. The launch is halted due to the ongoing pandemic outbreak.

JLR’s new line of plug-in hybrid vehicles Range Rover Evoque and new Land Rover Discovery feature a belt-integrated starter generator that acts as a key enabler for the hybrid system of this car.

RECENT INTEGRATED STARTER GENERATOR MARKET TREND

• British automaker Jaguar Land Rover has filed for a patent for its latest technology of Belt-Integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) in their range of hybrid cars.
• Indian tech company SEDEMAC has developed a sensorless Integrates Starter Generator (ISG) system for 2 and 3-wheelers. The hall-effect sensors are detached from the ISG’s ECU.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Some of the leading ISG manufacturers are Mitsubishi Electric (Japan), Denso Corporation (Japan), Continental AG (Germany), ZF Friedrichshafen (Germany), Bosch GmbH (Germany) and Valeo (France). Some of the Indian ISG manufacturers are SEDEMAC and Comstar Automotive Technologies.