IN THE BAY With greater voltage comes greater responsibility Understanding the implications of higher voltages on heavy duty trucks is paramount to successfully navigating changes in commercial vehicle electrical systems. By Tyler Fussner 16 Fleet Maintenance | April 2020 [ ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ] A n overwhelming majority of Class 8 commercial vehicles in North America operate on a 12V electrical system throughout both the tractor and trailer. In some instances, a 24V electrical system is in place. However, there is a potential shift looming in the not-so-distant future to higher voltages. How this transition occurs is up for debate, but some would say that a gradual progression into higher voltages will occur through a combination of varying voltages throughout a single combination tractor-trailer. Though 12V systems and components are not going away anytime soon, higher voltage systems, such as 24V and 48V, may become more widely integrat-