App note from ON Semiconductors about reverse polarity battery protection using MOSFETs and their MOSFET driver for efficiency. Link here (PDF)
When the vehicle’s battery is damaged and needs replacement the probability of connecting the new battery in reverse is high. Since many electronic control units (ECU) in the vehicle are connected to the vehicle’s battery, such an event could lead to numerous ECU failures. Additionally, automotive standards like ISO (International Organization for Standardization) defines the testing methods, voltage levels, limits for electromagnetic emission for electrical and electronic devices to ensure the safe and rugged operation of the system. One such standard related to reverse polarity protection (RPP) is ISO 7637−2:2011 which replicates the various voltage scenarios like in the real application and the system needs to withstand such voltages to showcase the robustness against failures. This made reverse polarity protection a crucial building block that is required by all automotive vehicle manufacturers for any battery connected ECU/system.