Low Carbon Mild Hybrid Electrified Diesel Optimised Powertrain – HyBoost 2

A Ford Focus diesel car will emit less than 70 grams of CO₂ per kilometre under official test cycles, using a 48-volt electrical system and waste heat recovery to match the efficiency of a full hybrid at a fraction of the cost. This matters because diesel engines remain a workhorse for fleet operators and long-distance drivers, but tightening CO₂ and emissions regulations threaten their viability. Current mild hybrid systems cut emissions modestly; full hybrids are expensive. HyBoost 2 aims to close that gap by combining a 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator with electrically driven ancillaries and advanced thermal management. The project targets the specific problem of making diesel powertrains clean enough to meet future standards without the cost penalty of a hybrid-electric vehicle. If successful, the technology could allow manufacturers to keep diesel in production for vans, taxis, and family cars while meeting regulatory targets. The impact would be felt in fleet operating costs, urban air quality, and the pace at which legacy vehicle platforms can be decarbonised. It does not invent a new engine type—it makes an existing one dramatically cleaner and cheaper to run.