[David70]

I think the 48v system makes some sense. Brakes are wasting energy (would expect a 48v system adds to brake life), stop/start isn't as smooth as it could be, isn't an extreme amount of weight and electric motors are pretty simple to make dependable.

Any new technology or system has negatives, just depends on which is worse. My father says his mid 60's cars are great because they are so simple but then they have a hard time starting when it is cold, they aren't fuel efficient and the smell of burning gas can be too much. When variable valve timing came out people wondered if the cost/complexity was worth the benefit, same with turbo's when they went mainstream.