EBV and Infineon: Electrifying (the) future

Light electric vehicles (LEVs) are an increasingly important EV sub-category

Fossil fuels and alarming emission levels? We can do better than that! One out of many essential steps towards an energy-efficient world lies in the soaring popularity - and consequently the use - of electrified two-, three- and four-wheel vehicles. Nowadays, new materials and technologies enable greater power efficiency, smaller size, lighter weight, and lower cost solutions. Consumers look for affordable, clean transportation alternatives to address congestion, poor air quality, and lack of mobility.

Want to play a key role in accelerating the transition to e-mobility with your products? Then turn to a true expert, a leader in power, sensing and security solutions: Infineon.

Types of plug-in electric vehicles

Besides conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, the industry currently distinguishes based on the all-electric range (AER) and the level of hybridization between the following types of electric vehicles:

• All-electric vehicles (long-range and limited range versions)
• Gasoline-electric hybrids (range-extended and minimal range versions)

What they all have in common is the fact that for charging their high-energy battery an off-board charging infrastructure is needed which happens to be fundamentally different from the well-developed infrastructure for fueling gasoline-powered vehicles. Charging options vary: AC level 1 chargers use the electric service present in almost every building. DC fast chargers require higher levels of voltage not to be found everywhere, i.e. provided only by specifically installed commercial fast-charging stations with higher charging rates.

Three-hurdles slowing mass deployment of plug-in electric EVs

When focusing on the mass deployment of all-electric vehicles and gasoline-electric hybrids, the challenges currently recognized can be summarized in three main hurdles:

• the high initial investment,
• the limited charging infrastructure available,
• and consumer misperceptions about their operation.

In other words, battery system cost, battery density, range limitations and charging constraints continue to be impediments to adoption.