Power Supplies for EV Charging

With the world becoming a more technological and environmentally friendly place, the automotive industry is not far behind. In November 2020, the UK Government announced that it would move forward with a ban on the sale of pure internal combustion engine cars from 2040 to 2030, but said that it will allow the sale of hybrid vehicles until 2035. The Government are providing support by subsidies & tax rebates for installing electric vehicle charging stations and are working in collaboration with manufacturers to speed up the growth of the UK’s EV charging network.

 According to www.autocar.co.uk, a total of 108,205 EVs were sold, representing a 180% year-on-year rise and rising from 1.6% of the overall UK car market to 6.6%.  Electric vehicles are becoming more attractive to consumers due to cheaper running costs than petrol/diesel vehicles and highly responsive acceleration.

What is EV?

Electric vehicles function by plugging into a charge point and taking electricity from the grid. They store the electricity in rechargeable batteries that power an electric motor, which turns the wheels. Electric cars accelerate faster than vehicles with traditional fuel engines – so they feel lighter to drive.

According to the EPA, one traditional gas-fuelled passenger vehicle with a 22-miles per gallon range emits an average of 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. However, electric vehicles emit no CO2 or other greenhouse gases, making them much more environmentally friendly. Charging electric cars with renewable energy, like solar, ensures no CO2 is emitted at any phase of your vehicle use.

What is the future of EVs?

According to a GHD survey, 46% of UK consumers, who do not currently own a hybrid or electric vehicle (EV), would buy or very much consider buying an EV in the next five years. While the UK government’s recently announced ten-point plan prioritises the adoption of EVs, the survey clearly shows that there are challenges to the rollout in the UK. Of those interested in buying an EV, 47% responded that they were not confident they would have local access to reliable charging infrastructure. This was particularly high among those living in rural and suburban areas.

Pros of EV

One pro of EVs is the low maintenance costs. Mechanical engines have many moving parts, including pumps and valves, along with fluids that need changing, which electric cars don’t necessarily have. Electric vehicles don’t have as many components that need replacing, so less maintenance is required, such as oil changes. Electric cars also generally last longer than their gas-powered counterparts. Another pro of electric vehicles is their high-quality performance. Because there is no exhaust system, electric cars operate smoothly and quietly. Electric models are much quieter than traditional gas engines, creating a more enjoyable ride. Electric motors also react much quicker than mechanical engines, providing more torque and agility while driving.

Cons of EV

Despite the ongoing costs of EVs being cheaper than petrol/diesel vehicles, finding charging stations can be very challenging. Even though you can charge an electric vehicle at home, finding a charging station can be difficult if you’re driving through rural areas or on a long-distance road trip. However, more areas are embracing EV charging stations and numerous hotel chains and shops have started to include EV chargers in their parking lots. This trend will continue as demand for charging stations increases. Also, charging an electric vehicle takes longer than if you were to put petrol/diesel in your vehicle. It can take upwards of two days to get a full charge on a battery pack using normal outlets, depending on car type and battery size. Even the fastest charging stations will take 30 minutes to reach 80 percent capacity.

How are Ideal Power Assisting Manufacturers?

Cost-efficient, compact and reliable power solutions have become the primary focus for electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging. And as charging stations are usually installed outdoors, they have high requirements for resistance to voltage fluctuations, surges, and operating temperature changes, the power modules inside it ensure the system runs well.

Ideal Power, a provider of one-stop solutions for power supplies, has a line of products engineered for charging station applications and addresses the challenges that manufacturers and design engineers might face when trying to find the best in electric vehicle power supplies.

Types of Charging Stations and Electric Vehicle Power Supplies

Charging Station: AC Level 1

Sections: Control System

Considerations of power design: Compact Size, operating temperature EMI.

Recommended AC/DC power modules: 36LS05-R3 Series or 36LD05-R2 Series.

Recommended DC/DC Power Modules: Switching regulator 36K78-R3 Series, 36Axxxx-1WR3, 36H-S 1WR2 or 36TD485 Series

36LD20-23BxxR2

Charging Station: AC Level 2

Sections: Control System

Considerations of power design: Compact Size, operating temperature EMI.

Recommended AC/DC power modules: 36LS10-13BxxR3 Series, 36LD20-23BxxR2 Series or 36LDE60-20Bxx Series.

Recommended DC/DC Power Modules: Switching regulator 36K78-R3 Series, 36Axxxx-1WR3, 36H-S 1WR2 or 36TD485 Series

Charging Station: AC Level 3

Sections: Control System and Off-board Charger

Considerations of power design: Voltage fluctuation Surge and Operating Temperature.

Recommended AC/DC power modules: 50-600W LM/LMF Series or 50-240WLI/LIF Series.

Recommended DC/DC Power Modules: Switching regulator 36K78-R3 Series, QA for IGBT/SiC driver, 40-200W PV Series, 36H-S 1WR2 or 36TDCAN/TD485.

Please note that although not all of our recommended AC/DC and DC/DC power modules are live on our website, we can supply datasheets and specifications upon request.

Here at Ideal power, we are involved in some exciting projects, providing  Power Supplies for EV Charging within the EV industry, and are proud to be assisting in many of the projects discussed in this article. We provide off-the-shelf and bespoke power supplies to suit all applications across many industries. Click here to view our fully comprehensive range.

If you require more information regarding this article or need help finding the right power supply for your project. Please do not hesitate to contact us.