IIT Researchers Innovate New Technology to Decrease Electric Vehicle Charging Costs by Fifty Percent
In a groundbreaking development, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) BHU, Varanasi, have created a new technology for an on-board charger for electric vehicles (EVs). This innovative technology, developed in collaboration with experts from IIT Guwahati and IIT Bhubaneshwar, is set to revolutionise the EV industry in India.
The proposed onboard charger technology can act as a charger for charging mode and an inverter for propulsion mode, significantly reducing the need for power electronics interfaces. This means that one additional interface required for propulsion mode can be cut, leading to a more streamlined and efficient EV design.
The technology is completely indigenous, and the components involved in the technology are reduced by 50% due to the new design. This reduction in components will lead to a cost reduction of almost 40-50% for the onboard charger, which will subsequently reduce the cost of electric vehicles (EVs).
The rising prices of petrol and diesel in the country are a concern for the common man, according to Rajeev Kumar Singh, the chief project investigator at IIT BHU. This new technology is expected to have a significant impact on driving electric vehicles on Indian roads, supporting the government's mission to bring EVs on Indian roads.
The new technology is also expected to improve charging infrastructure, which, as stated by Singh, is currently a challenge due to the lack of high power off-board charging infrastructure. This means that the new technology could help address one of the key hurdles in the widespread adoption of EVs in India.
A leading electric vehicle manufacturer in the country has shown interest in the new technology and is ready to develop a full-fledged commercial product. While the manufacturer's name has not been disclosed, it is clear that this technology has the potential to transform the EV landscape in India.
The lab-scale development of the technology has already been done at IIT (BHU). Up-gradation and commercialization of the technology are in progress, and the technology supports the government's mission to bring electric vehicles on Indian roads.
IIT BHU Director Pramod Kumar Jain stated that the techno-commercial, social, economic, and environmental impact of the technology will also be positive. A company named "Omega Seiki Mobility" from India has also shown interest in the commercial implementation of the on-board charging technology for electric vehicles developed by researchers at IIT BHU.
This new technology is a significant step towards making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible in India, paving the way for a cleaner and greener future.
