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For several years flat cables for the use in the automotive wiring harnesses have been attracting attention. Less weight, less space and higher automation degree are the key factors, which promise a benefit from the introduction of the new technology. The well defined electromagnetic properties are also often mentioned as an advantage of flat cables, because of the precise and constant routing in the car. Although it is true, that statistical error due to an unfavorable position of the cables in the harness is reduced, on the other hand the systematical error due to it's geometry is strongly enhanced. Since basic parameters like impedance or crosstalk characteristics are not specified for the cable types for CAN-transmission used in automotive, it is difficult to qualify a selected wiring system in the early development phase of a car model.

The Aluminium wires, already being used for decades in the power supply industry, are now also present inside new Automotive harness systems. The motivation for using aluminium wires is: Weight reduction means improved fuel economy with reduced emissions. Cost reduction because of less use of raw material. For a new automotive harness system we have tested the possible use of aluminium wires for the substitution of conventional copper wires specially for signal cables and power cables (like battery cable, see [1]). Some new interconnection technologies for aluminium wires have been developed with respect to the special properties of aluminium strands. In this paper an overview about the possibilities of using aluminium cables for the next carlines is given. Especially the aluminium conductor can be used in power wiring systems to reach an optimized weight reduction (like for battery cables in some today carlines).

Improving the energy balance of vehicles is an effective way of lowering CO2 emissions. Among other things, this does entail mounting demands on the power wiring system. The intention is, for instance, to adapt the drive train to facilitate such functions as more efficient recuperation, e-boost and sailing with the aid of a 48V starter generator and a 48V battery. In addition, it is a matter of electrifying mechanical components with the aim of energy-efficient demand management to save fuel. The 48V power wiring system as an addition to the 12V system is a promising option where the task is to make the low-voltage wiring system of vehicles in the mass-market segment more powerful. Raising system voltage to 48V has the effect of fundamentally improving the efficiency of electricity generation and power distribution in the vehicle because of the reduced current and therefore the diminished ohmic losses.