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Design unveiled for 800V inverter from Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments has developed a reference design for an 800 V, 11 kW three-level, three-phase inverter using gallium nitride (writes Nick Flaherty). The inverter uses a 6.6 kW active neutral-point clamped (ANPC) inverter design with a 600 V LMG3422R030 GaN FET. This enables a switching frequency of 100 kHz to reduce the size of the […]

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Ferries to launch with fast charging

Five electric ferries are set to operate around the clock across the North Sea Canal in Amsterdam using a fast charging system developed by ABB (writes Nick Flaherty). They will replace a diesel-powered fleet that dates back to the 1930s, and will be used on three busy North Sea Canal routes that transport more than […]

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Components keep their cool in 3D

A feasibility study has examined the use of over-moulding to create 3D electronic components with high thermal conductivity (writes Nick Flaherty). The project, at Sobaplast in Germany, uses the Keratherm MT 103 and MT 320 injection moulding materials from Kerafol on circuit board samples at temperatures that did not compromise the components on the board […]

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Onboard charger cuts it both ways

Vicor has shown a modular approach for a ‘virtual battery’ that can tackle issues with DC fast charging of EVs (writes Nick Flaherty). Many existing DC fast chargers work with 400 V packs but not the 800V versions. In 2020, there were around 400,000 publicly accessible DC fast chargers around the world, but only 2% […]

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Module aimed at 900V powertrains

NXP Semiconductors is working with Hitachi on a power module using 1200 V SiC transistors (writes Nick Flaherty). The collaboration combines NXP’s GD3160 isolated gate driver and Hitachi Energy’s RoadPak SiC half-bridge power modules for faster development of efficient, reliable and functionally safe EV powertrains using 900V battery packs.The RoadPak uses 1200 V SiC MOSFETs, […]

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Efficiency record for EV solar cell

Toshiba has developed a transparent solar cell that can be used to boost the charging of EVs (writes Nick Flaherty). The cell uses copper oxide and has an efficiency of 8.4%, the world’s highest level for such as cell. It would sit on top of a flexible silicon solar cell on the roof or trunk […]

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Manual EV gearbox simulator

Toyota has filed a series of patents in the US for simulating a manual gearbox in an EV (writes Nick Flaherty). The set of eight patents would have an impact on the design of the central motor controller, influencing the torque of the motor based on the operation of the accelerator and a ‘pseudo-clutch’ pedal. […]

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Maritime pack protection system

KULR has developed a passive propagation resistant (PPR) system to protect maritime battery packs against the risk of fire (writes Nick Flaherty). The US Coast Guard is launching new safety requirements for passenger vessels, and the PPR developed by KULR provides additional battery safety options for the cargo ships, fishing trawlers and cruise liners. A […]

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EV code looks to set station standard

Pionix in Germany has developed an open source software stack to address the fragmentation of EV charging infrastructure (writes Nick Flaherty). The EVerest software is a minimal Linux system that can run on any device, from chargers using a home socket to public DC charging. It uses a modular, customisable software stack that abstracts the […]

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Fast charge rate beats US targets

Amprius Technologies has demonstrated a charging rate of 6 minutes to 80% from 0% state of charge for its silicon-based batteries (writes Nick Flaherty). This exceeds the targets for 2025 set by the US government for charging a battery cell to 80% in less than 15 minutes. Using silicon nanowires avoids the problems of the […]