Silicon carbide power electronics for electric vehicles

Abstract

The success of electric vehicle drives heavily depends on the maximization of energy conversion efficiency. Losses in power electronic converters increase system size, weight and cost, raise energy demand and limit the operating distance range. Advances in semiconductor technology can remedy these problems and silicon carbide devices are of special interest in this context. This material enables manufacturing high-voltage devices with lower on-state voltage drop and shorter switching times, thus reducing both static and dynamic power loss. In this paper, recent achievements in silicon carbide technology as well as their applications in electrical vehicles have been reviewed.