Lighting technology and electronics company HELLA has developed two new battery systems for mild hybrids. The two systems, the Dual Voltage Battery Management System and PowerPack 48 Volt, allow for savings of five to six grams of CO2 per kilometer, according to the company. Designed for compact and mid-range vehicles, the Dual Voltage Battery Management System… Read more »
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SiC vs GaN semiconductors for EV power converters: Tech Opinion
Just as engineers are starting to get used to the advantages (and quirks) of silicon carbide (SiC ) devices, another semiconductor material joins the fray: gallium nitride, or GaN. Though there are some superficial similarities between these two materials, and even some overlap in their areas of best use, it is my opinion that only… Read more »
BorgWarner unveils new onboard battery charger
Automotive parts supplier BorgWarner has released a silicon carbide onboard battery charger that is compatible with 400, 600 and 800 V systems. It accepts AC inputs with 7.4 kW, 11 kW, and 22 kW power ratings. Optional DC-to-DC converter rating integration from 2.3 kW to 3.6 kW is available. “Our technical center is dedicated to… Read more »
A closer look at the losses in power semiconductors
A previous article examined loss mechanisms in traction motors, which tend to be the single biggest source of losses in a modern EV drivetrain. This time, the focus is on the various power semiconductors, as they are the next biggest source of losses. Also covered in brief are ways to mitigate these losses and design… Read more »
Maxwell Vehicles retrofits RAM ProMaster vans with plug-in powertrains
What does a PHEV become when it grows up? And do we need yet another electrified-vehicle acronym? Technically, a hybrid with a plug is a PHEV, but some argue that a vehicle with a substantial electric range is a different animal. Chevy called its Volt an EREV, and Seattle-based startup Maxwell Vehicles is calling its… Read more »
German parts maker ZF looks to bring racing car technologies to production EVs
Since 2016, German parts maker ZF has supplied technology for French EV maker Venturi’s team in the FIA Formula E racing series. ZF has developed an electric drive for the team, which includes a 250 kW electric motor with a specially designed transmission ratio and power electronics. ZF says this drive enjoys much higher energy… Read more »
MIT creates hybrid cathode designed to boost energy capacity of Li batteries
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and in China say they’ve developed a new version of the cathode. The researchers describe the cathode as a “hybrid,” since it combines aspects of intercalation-type and conversion-type cathodes to increase gravimetric energy density (per-pound energy output) and volumetric energy density (per-liter energy output). The cathode has… Read more »
ARDA Power’s EV Charging DC Microgrid includes gas power, solar, battery storage and DC fast charging
Toronto-based ARDA Power plans to construct an EV Charging DC Microgrid at an Etratech manufacturing facility in Burlington, Ontario. The grid-connected microgrid will DC-couple 50 kW of solar generation, 10 kW of natural gas generation, 100 kWh of battery storage, LED lights and a 50 kW DC fast charging station that will use DC power… Read more »
Churning out EVs: TDK has built a fully automated manufacturing line for its DC link capacitors
Raw materials in one end, pallets full of power film capacitors out the other For companies that produce products used for electric power conversion, EVs represent a huge new market, potentially much bigger than any other existing industry. Those who have realized the potential and invested early are now positioning themselves as leaders in automotive… Read more »
Electric racing airplanes to compete in Air Race E
The University of Nottingham and Air Race E have announced a partnership to develop what they believe to be the world’s first electric racing airplane. Air Race E, which is set to run its inaugural race in 2020, will see electric airplanes racing directly against each other on a tight circuit just above the ground… Read more »
