Eaton's eMobility business has introduced a 48-volt programmable power electronics control unit for electrically-heated catalysts that can be used by commercial vehicle manufacturers to meet tightening global emissions regulations.

“Commercial vehicle manufacturers face new challenges generating and controlling this level of electrical power for a single vehicle accessory,” said Tom Stoltz, chief engineer, 48-volt systems, Eaton’s eMobility business. “Our control unit helps them overcome these challenges and enables electrical integration in meeting future ultra-low nitrogen oxide emissions regulations.”

The air-cooled electric catalyst heater controller is part of Eaton’s broader 48-volt electrical system portfolio, which contains several technologies that allow manufacturers to integrate 48-volt architectures in next-generation vehicles.

Eaton’s family of electric heater power electronics controllers are being developed for solutions between 2 kW and 15 kW of power. The controller is designed to receive power commands from the aftertreatment system, provide soft-start and soft-stop capabilities for assisting in maintaining system voltage control, and diagnostic feedback of the heater element. 

“The aftertreatment catalyst heater controller contains all the necessary power electronics to smoothly deliver power to the heater and ensure the vehicle electrical system remains stable during heater operation,” Stoltz said.

In Europe, the next stage of emissions standards, known as Euro VII for heavy-duty diesel trucks, is targeted for introduction as early as 2026. In the U.S., the California Air Resources Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are introducing more regulations in 2024 and 2027.

Collectively, the new regulations are designed to reduce tailpipe NOx limits by up to 90%, thus accelerating the need for global engine manufacturers to employ additional emission-reducing strategies such as electric catalyst heating.