Electric vehicles (EVs) are transforming automotive engineering through advanced battery technology, intelligent power management, and increasingly sophisticated electronic systems. Yet, amid this transition, the 12V automotive relay continues to serve an important purpose. While high-voltage batteries power electric motors, low-voltage electrical networks operate numerous auxiliary systems essential to vehicle functionality.

For automotive manufacturers, Tier-1 suppliers, and component engineers, understanding the continued importance of the automotive relay reveals how established switching technologies remain relevant in next-generation mobility.

The Growth of Electric Vehicles and the Continued Need for 12V Systems

According to the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook 2026, global electric car sales exceeded 20 million in 2025, increasing by 20% compared with 2024. Electric cars accounted for approximately 25% of new car sales worldwide. The IEA also projected global sales of 23 million electric cars in 2026, representing around 28% of the market.

This growth is accelerating demand for advanced automotive electrical components. However, EVs do not necessarily eliminate conventional low-voltage electrical systems.

Many electric vehicles retain a 12V network to operate Electronic Control Units (ECUs), lighting, door locks, infotainment systems, sensors, and other auxiliary equipment. Depending on the architecture, the low-voltage network also supports the electronics required to activate the high-voltage traction system.

Consequently, the 12V automotive relay remains relevant wherever vehicle designers need dependable switching for compatible low-voltage electrical loads.

How a 12V Automotive Relay Supports Electric Vehicle Architecture

An automotive relay is an electrically operated switch that uses a control signal to operate a separate electrical circuit. In an electromechanical relay, current flowing through a coil generates a magnetic field that moves internal contacts, opening or closing the circuit.

This mechanism allows relatively low-power control electronics to switch suitable electrical loads without carrying the entire load current themselves.

Key Applications of the 12V Automotive Relay

Depending on the vehicle design and relay specifications, applications include:

• Lighting systems: Switching headlights, auxiliary lamps, and other lighting circuits.
• Thermal management: Controlling compatible cooling fans and auxiliary pumps.
• Body electronics: Operating selected door-locking, window, and convenience functions.
• Auxiliary power distribution: Connecting or disconnecting designated low-voltage loads.
• Control circuits: Supporting specific electrical functions commanded by vehicle control modules.

The distinction between low-voltage relays and high-voltage contactors is essential. A conventional 12V relay is not suitable for directly switching an EV’s high-voltage traction battery unless it has been specifically designed and rated for that application.

What Recent Automotive Research Reveals About Low-Voltage Systems

The continued relevance of 12V networks is supported by recent engineering research.

In 2025, SAE International published the technical paper Downsizing 12 Volts Battery for EV Using Effective Energy Management Strategies when Vehicle Is Inactive. The study examined how improved energy management could reduce low-voltage battery requirements in electric vehicles. It reported that standby energy consumption in a premium vehicle could reach 0.4 watts while the vehicle was inactive, depending on its operating conditions.

Although 0.4 watts may appear insignificant, continuous consumption can affect battery charge over extended parking periods. The low-voltage network must retain sufficient energy to support essential functions and enable vehicle restart.

For relay manufacturers, this highlights the importance of low coil power consumption, reliable contact performance, and appropriate electrical endurance. Relay selection must account for the actual load profile rather than voltage rating alone.

Why Automotive Relays Remain Valuable in Modern Vehicle Electronics

Modern EVs increasingly incorporate connected features, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), electronic controllers, and automated functions. These technologies make dependable power distribution and fault management increasingly important.

A properly specified automotive relay switch offers several practical advantages.

Electrical isolation: Relay contacts separate the control circuit from the switched load circuit, subject to the device’s insulation specifications.

Load switching: Suitable relays can handle resistive and inductive loads when their ratings account for inrush current and switching conditions.

Design flexibility: Normally open, normally closed, and changeover configurations accommodate different circuit requirements.

Established manufacturing processes: Mature relay technologies and established supply chains can support component sourcing, validation, and maintenance.

However, relays are not universally preferable to electronic switches. Semiconductor switching devices can offer faster operation and reduced mechanical wear in suitable applications. Engineers must evaluate cost, switching frequency, heat dissipation, electrical noise, and failure behaviour before choosing the appropriate technology.

Will 48V Electrical Systems Replace 12V Automotive Relays?

The automotive industry’s movement towards 48V architectures introduces new possibilities for power distribution. For a given power level, increasing voltage reduces the current required, potentially lowering cable losses and supporting more demanding electrical loads.

An August 2025 report by EV Engineering & Infrastructure, discussing relay technologies across vehicle architectures, highlighted the industry’s progression from conventional 12V systems towards 48V and higher-voltage platforms. It also described relay solutions designed for different voltage classes and automotive applications.

Nevertheless, 48V adoption does not automatically eliminate 12V components. Vehicle platforms may retain 12V subsystems or use multiple voltage levels to accommodate existing electronics and application-specific requirements.

The future demand for a 12V automotive relay will therefore depend on individual vehicle architectures, component specifications, and the pace of electrical system redesign.

Selecting the Right Automotive Relay for EV Applications

For automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and electrical engineers, choosing a relay requires a detailed assessment of operating conditions.

Important selection criteria include:

• Voltage and current ratings: Verify continuous current, inrush current, and switching capacity.
• Contact endurance: Match the expected switching cycles and electrical load profile.
• Environmental resistance: Evaluate temperature, vibration, moisture, dust, and mechanical shock.
• Coil power consumption: Consider its effect on low-voltage energy management.
• Quality and validation: Confirm compliance with applicable automotive requirements and manufacturer qualification procedures.

For Leone Relays, these industry requirements underline the importance of application-specific relay selection, consistent quality, and dependable switching performance. Automotive component decisions should always be supported by verified product specifications and suitable validation testing.

Conclusion: The Future of 12V Automotive Relays in EVs

Electric mobility is transforming automotive engineering, but reliable low-voltage switching remains important wherever 12V electrical networks continue to operate.

The key takeaways are

• EV sales exceeded 20 million globally in 2025, reinforcing the scale of automotive electrification.
• Low-voltage networks continue to support essential electronics and auxiliary functions.
• A correctly specified 12V automotive relay provides practical switching capabilities for suitable applications.
• Emerging 48V architectures may change component requirements without eliminating every 12V circuit.
• Selecting the right automotive relay switch requires careful consideration of electrical ratings, endurance, energy consumption, and operating conditions.

As vehicle technology advances, the continued value of automotive relays will depend on how effectively established switching solutions meet the evolving requirements of electric mobility.