Tech Briefs Magazine - February 2022 - BT-14

Electric Charging
Batteries as Part of the
Equation
A Silicon-carbide (SiC)-based
inverter developed by
BorgWarner is projected to
markedly improve charging times
and reduce EV system cost.
(Photo: BorgWarner)
chargers. The bill's $7.5 billion recharging-network
investment includes $5 billion
for " formula funding " for individual
states to take part in building the national
charging network. The remaining $2.5
billion will be directed to " communities
and corridors through a competitive
grant program that will support innovative
approaches and ensure that charger
deployment meets Administration priorities
such as supporting rural charging,
improving local air quality, and increasing
EV charging access in disadvantaged
communities. "
Speaking specifically to the bill's
charging-infrastructure emphasis, the
Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI)
called for all federally funded DC fast
chargers at transit hubs and on charging
" corridors " to be capable of charging at
up to 350 kW. AAI stated in a release, " As
more and more electric vehicles come to
market with larger batteries, charging
speed is going to become increasingly
important. EV charging at 350 kW is
needed for corridor charging not only to
reduce the recharge time of each EV, but
also to increase the throughput of EVs to
allow more EVs to charge from the same
connector. " The AAI also said it is less
costly to install 350-kW capacity now
than to retrofit later.
Q7
Q1
Q3
Q5
M
Q8
Q2
Q4
Q6
Boost Converter Option
Traction Inverter
The Biden Administration also acknowledged
that advances in batteries
can translate into faster and better
recharging. It is encouraging efforts to
improve the U.S. domestic supply chain
for EV battery materials and production.
One example is a comprehensive plan to
support battery manufacturing through
initiatives such as the DOE's Loan
Programs Office and its AdvancedTechnology
Vehicles Manufacturing Loan
Program to " support the domestic battery
supply chain. " Other monies in the new
bill - separate from the EV-charging
infrastructure investment - include $3
billion directed to competitive grants for
battery minerals and refined materials
and $3 billion to build, retool or expand
battery manufacturing, and establish
recycling facilities.
Meanwhile, automakers and battery
developers and suppliers are engaged
in ongoing improvement of existing
batteries, chemistry and power electronics
to squeeze more performance
from current or soon-to-come battery
formats. Increased battery capacity or
system efficiency for example, can
improve driving range, lessening the
need for recharging. And smarter
power electronics can help batteries to
recharge more quickly.
Volvo's Polestar, for one, recently
enhanced its propulsion system, via an
over-the-air software update that
required no service visit, to incorporate
a new battery " preconditioning " function
tied to the navigation system.
When the driver selects a public DC
charger as a destination, the battery
pack's temperature and other operational
parameters are tailored to have
the battery in optimum condition for
the quickest recharge when the charger
location is reached.
A gallium nitride (GaN)-based traction inverter - items Q1 through Q8 are GaN power transistors
- promises greatly reduced power losses that will help speed recharging and improve EV
driving range. (Photo: GaN Systems)
14
Another fast-advancing method to
quicker recharging is to increase vehicle
electrical-system capacity - higher voltages
can enable smaller, lighter components
that always are an EV development
priority, as well as the ability to accept
more power, more quickly, from a charger.
Porsche led the way with an 800-volt
architecture for its Taycan EV, doubling
the system voltage of typical EVs.
Battery & Electrification Technology, February 2022

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Tech Briefs Magazine - February 2022

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