According to the Global EV Outlook 2021, global electric car stock reached 10 million units in 2020, showing a 41% increase compared to 2019. In particular, Europe witnessed the highest share of new electric car registrations in 2021, followed by China and the United States.
As the number of electric vehicles (EV) increases, there is a growing need to create more energy-efficient charging infrastructure systems worldwide that can charge vehicles faster than before. New electric vehicles have higher ranges and larger battery capacities than their predecessors, necessitating the development of more fast DC charging solutions to support their quick charging requirements.
MORNSUN has over 23 years of experience in the power supply industry, including in releasing intelligent transportation converter solutions for EVs. Our line of products includes AC-DC converters (including some models specifically for charging points), DC-DC converters, and industrial BUS transceiver module. All our power supply solutions are well-adapted for use in intelligent transportation, including HEV/EV.
In this article, we will examine the status quo of the electric vehicle industry and review how MORNSUN power supply solutions can help you.
The HEV/EV Industry at a Glance
- The global electric vehicle market size is projected to grow from 4,093 thousand units in 2021 to 34,756 thousand units by 2030, at a CAGR of 26.8%.
- The increasing global production of EVs has been supported by a growing demand for low emission commuting, governments support through subsidies and tax rebates.
- The electric vehicle market for passenger cars is largest in Asia Pacific, followed by Europe and North America.
- The global semiconductor chip shortage is affecting the ability of EV manufacturers to keep up with demand.
According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about four-in-ten Americans (39%) say they are very or somewhat likely to seriously consider buying an electric vehicle the next time they’re in the market for new wheels.
What are some of the EV industry trends for 2021?
Some 5.2 million passenger vehicles will be lost from global production in 2021 because of the chip shortage, according to a report from Duisberg (the Germany-based Center for Automotive Research).
People’s requirement for cars has bounced back strongly from the pandemic slump. With the growing coverage of the effects of climate change, the demand for electric vehicles and sustainable transportation is growing as well.
It is even more critical to find smarter and more efficient ways to use the resources available during such times.
Beyond the global microchip shortage, the future for electric cars has serious potential for growth. Governments worldwide are increasingly investing in the development of EV charging stations and Hydrogen fueling stations along with incentives offered to buyers.
The growth of the EV market is generally uniform worldwide, with different paces in some regions. In the following years, the market in Asia Pacific is projected to experience steady growth owing to the high demand for lower cost-efficient and low-emission vehicles. In contrast, the North American and European market are fast-growing markets due to the government initiatives and growing high-performance Passenger vehicle segment.
The Effects of COVID-19 on the EV Industry
In the first few months of the COVID-19 period, the production of EVs was affected by lockdowns and logistics problems following new waves of Coronavirus. Post lockdowns, demand for EVs surged as governments around the world increasingly encouraged changing to low-emission fuel vehicles. Many countries also increased their EV charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations. This led to a growing demand for BEVs, PHEVs, and FCEVs in the market from June to December 2020 and in the first few months of 2021.
The Consumers’ Perception and Trends in the EV Industry
Over the last few years, the public has demonstrated that it cares passionately about environmental issues, as shown in the #GetOutInFront Deloitte global research report. In particular, Gen Z and Millennial consumers – roughly 45% of all first-time car owners – rank climate change and protecting the environment as their top concern.
According to a recent Pew Research Center report, Millennials – born between 1981 and 1996, are more open to considering the purchase of an electric vehicle, particularly in comparison with Baby Boomers and older adults. Younger generations (56% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials) are more also receptive to the idea of phasing out the production of new gas-powered vehicles by 2025 in favor of more environmentally-friendly options.
The main concern for EV potential buyers revolves around the higher price range of electric models. However, those who can afford EVs are more loyal to this form of sustainable transportation. Among the 7% of US adults who currently own an EV or HEV, most of them (72%) say they are very (43%) or somewhat (29%) likely to seriously consider an electric car or truck the next time around.
How Does This Translate to Your Power Supply Needs?
Along with transforming the transport sector, EVs also present a viable opportunity to boost the world’s shift to sustainable energy and renewable power generation. However, as a technical engineer, you need to plan a wise employment of the limited resources available, both in terms of budget and power supply. The solution lies in intelligent management of power for your EV charging station.
An effective battery management system (BMS) in any HEV/EV application involves circuits responsible for monitoring the charging and discharging of batteries, and communication with other vehicular systems. Other responsibilities of a BMS include:
- Monitoring the state of the battery (e.g., state of function, state of charge, state of capacity);
- Keeping the battery from trying to operate outside of its safety envelope;
- Calculating secondary data related to the monitoring and control of the battery;
- Providing control of the battery based on primary and secondary data;
- Balancing the battery system (e.g., keeping the voltages levels the same or preventing batteries from overcharging);
The BMS ensures the reliability, longevity, and protection of the battery supply for HEV/EV. In terms of intelligent transportation, the role of the BMS is so crucial that, in case of failure, it can put the vehicle, its passengers, and those nearby in danger.
The power supply for an HEV/EV relies heavily on the intelligent charging device, which must integrate seamlessly with the BMS. The power supply should also provide current to systems that are critical for the driver’s and passengers’ safety, including the electronic accelerator, tire pressure detecting system, control and driving system, and the CAN communication system.
What to Consider for Circuitry Design in Intelligent Transportation Modules
When designing the circuitry for the various systems involved in the power supply and intelligent BMS for an EV/HEV, you should consider the following aspects:
- An operating temperature range in accordance with automotive applications
- Compatibility with standard current and voltage requirements
- High isolation voltage
- Protection against potential issues (e.g., short circuits)
- Reliability
- High efficiency
- AEC-Q100 approved
- IATF16949 compliant
In particular, DC/DC converters are among the many circuitry components involved in a standard BMS for an EV/HEV. MORNSUN offers a series of DC-DC converters for EV applications, including those involving the BMS. Click here to read more about MORNSUN’s line of AEC-Q100 approved DC/DC Converters.
What to Consider for Circuitry Design in EV Charging Stations
When designing the power supply for EV charging stations, you are faced with multiple challenges and requirements:
- High ability to resist voltage fluctuations and surges
- High ability to resist operating temperature changes
- Outdoor weather and environment conditions
- Other specific requirements based on the type of selected charging station power supply (either AC charging stations or DC charging stations)
How MORNSUN Can Help Your EV Charging Station Power Supply Design
As an experienced manufacturer of one-stop power supply solutions, MORNSUN has a line of products engineered to address the challenges of the latest in EV charging technology.
For example, the MORNSUN LM150-23Bxx is a series of 150W enclosed switching power supplies with ultra-wide 85-305VAC input. With a 4000VAC high isolation voltage, this product line is designed to meet your power supply needs in EV charging applications, especially for powering the MCU of charging systems.
The MORNSUN LM150-12M1224 is another example of an enclosed switching power supply series for DC charging stations. This product collection is designed to withstand 300VAC surge input for 5 seconds with an operating temperature range of -30’C to +70’C. It features a 3000VA high isolation voltage with multiple protections, including output short circuit, over-current, and over-voltage protection. This product series is IEC/EN/UL62368 safety approved and features an output voltage that can be switched between 12V and 24V.
The MORNSUN LD-R2 series are ultra-compact AC/DC converters with dimensions as low as 1×1 inch which are reliable and cost-effective power supplies for applications with limited space. With the universal input voltage of 85-305VAC, industrial temperature range of -40°C to 85°C. LD-R2 series are also suitable for AC charging stations.
