Every car I know of since the 1960s uses a 12V electrical system. I know there has been research on higher voltage systems. But are any of them marketed here?
Not that I’m aware of. Are they marketed elsewhere?
Other than military?
A quick search found an article from Pop Mechanics. 42 volt systems were the coming thing 10 years ago to permit smaller wire sizes and therefore smaller diameter and lighter wire bundles. It won’t happen because the arc interruption capability of an ordinary switch with higher voltage dc current is inadequate. Vehicles, as you know, have quite a number of switches.
Never ran across any cars 24V or higher, but lots of aircraft out there are 24/28VDC.
Do a search for BJ series Land Cruisers (Toyota)…
Zumkopf: Several years ago I heard the shop foreman where I work mention something about 40 or 42V batteries coming soon to cope w/ever- increasing amount of current necessary to keep computer memories alive. (When you park and go inside at night, battery continues to put out current to keep these memories alive.) In '97 at a 2 year technical college Instructor told us Industry rule of thumb for IOD (ignition-off
draw or parasitic draw as this current is referred to) was 5 to 30 milliamps. (.005 to .030 amps). Work at Volvo dealer now, and normal IOD for many late models is 500 milliamps! The used Volvos on our lot that sit have to constantly have their batteries charged, so maybe a 24V battery would make sense, but a 42V? Howbout a 2000 CCA 12V? HaHaHa just kidding. Any battery exprts/designers out there?