Power Electronics Converters in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Name: Power Electronics Converters in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
Rating: 4.7 (20 reviews)

Power electronic converter, power electronic devices

Created byR. Gangadevi, Senthilraja S

Last updated 6/2025

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Understand the role of power converters in electric and hybrid electric vehicles
Identify and explain power semiconductor devices
Analyze rectifier-fed DC drives,
Apply methods for speed control of three-phase induction motors
Design and simulate DC-DC converters
Explore cycloconverter-fed AC drives

Course content

1 section • 26 lectures • 2h 45m total length

Outline of the course3:05
Explore fundamentals and advanced concepts of power electronic converters for electric and hybrid vehicles, covering rectifiers, cycloconverters, choppers, DC-DC converters, inverters, and motor control with practical design and simulation insights.
Use of power converters in electric vehicle and hybrid electric vehicle7:20
Power converters regulate energy in electric and hybrid vehicles, converting voltages, enabling AC/DC conversion, regenerative braking, onboard charging, bidirectional flow, and four operating modes: engine, electric, regenerative, and hybrid.
Introduction to power converters5:37
Discover how power converters modify voltage, current, and frequency using switching techniques and pulse width modulation, enabling rectifiers, DC-DC converters, inverters, and AC converters for EVs, solar, and grid.
Power diode symbol, structure, operation and characteristics5:58
Learn the symbol, three-region structure, and high-power operation of power diodes, and compare them to signal diodes, including forward and reverse bias characteristics and breakdown behavior.
power MOSFET symbol, structure, operation and characteristics6:59
Understand the structure, operation, and characteristics of power MOSFETs, highlighting high efficiency, fast switching, low on-resistance, and gate-controlled three-terminal design for SMPS and energy systems.
power BJT structure, Operation and characteristics3:18
Explore the structure, operation, and characteristics of the power BJT, highlighting interdigitated contact design, base area, drift region, and heat management for high voltage and high current in power electronics.
symbol,structure,operation and characteristics of TRIAC7:58
Explore the triac as a bidirectional thyristor with a common gate, enabling ac power regulation. Learn its symbol, structure, triggering modes, and common applications like dimmers and motor control.
single phase halfwave controlled rectifier with R load3:12
Explore the operation of a single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier with an R load, using a transformer and SCR to produce a variable DC output by varying the firing angle alpha.
single phase halfwave controlled rectifier with RL load3:25
Explain the operation of a single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier with an RL load, highlighting firing angle alpha, extension angle beta, and the resulting output voltage and current.
single phase fully controlled rectifier with R load4:16
Operate a single-phase fully controlled rectifier with an R load by triggering thyristors at a firing angle to produce a unidirectional, variable dc output.
single phase fully controlled rectifier with RL load4:16
Demonstrates a single phase fully controlled rectifier with an rl load, where inductance causes current lag and continuous conduction, using firing angle alpha and four thyristors to smooth the output.
Operation of class A chopper1:40
Analyze the operation of a class A chopper, examining on and off states, continuous load current with a freewheeling diode, and the resulting average output for DC motor speed control.
Operation of class B chopper3:22
Demonstrates the operation of a class B chopper, detailing on/off states, inductor energy storage, and diode conduction. Highlights regenerative braking for DC motors.
Operation of class C chopper4:10
Class c chopper is a two-quadrant converter enabling source-to-load or load-to-source power. Quadrant one has positive voltage and current; quadrant two has voltage and negative current for motoring and braking.
Operation of class D chopper5:37
Explains operation of a class d chopper, a two-quadrant converter enabling first and fourth quadrant voltage with positive current, controlled by duty cycle.
Operation of class E chopper5:20
Explore how a four-quadrant class e chopper uses four switches and anti-parallel diodes to enable bidirectional power flow, with quadrant-based step-down, step-up, and freewheeling energy storage.
step down cycloconverter centre tapped configuration with R load5:28
Explore how a center-tapped step-down cycloconverter with an R load uses four thyristors P1, P2, N1, N2 to directly convert AC to a lower frequency without a DC link.
step down cycloconverter bridge type5:46
Explore a single-phase to single-phase step-down cycloconverter bridge type that lowers output frequency and improves harmonic performance. Output frequency is one third of the input, enabling precise motor speed control.
step up bridge type cycloconveter3:44
Analyze the operation of a single-phase to single-phase step up cycloconverter bridge, detailing p1 to p4 and n1 to n4 conduction and the envelope of the load voltage.
stepup mid point cycloconverter4:14
Explore a midpoint-type single-phase step-up cycloconverter using a center-tapped transformer and four SCRs to switch positive and negative envelopes, yielding an output frequency four times the supply frequency.
stator voltage control of three phase Induction motor3:56
Explore stator voltage control of a three‑phase induction motor, using autotransformers, phase‑controlled rectifiers, and PWM to vary voltage and torque, with single‑phase triac control and practical applications.
Slip Power Recovery of an Induction Motor7:12
Explore slip power recovery for wound-rotor induction motors, converting rotor slip power to DC and returning it to the grid through rectifier and inverter for efficient speed control.
Design and simulation of Boost converter10:10
Design and simulate a boost converter in pcm software to raise a 12 v input to 18 v at 25 khz, with a 33.33% duty cycle and 60 microhenry inductance.
Design and simulation of Buck converter9:16
Design and simulate a buck converter in PCM software, showing how a mosfet, inductor, and capacitor regulate output voltage from 48 to 15 volts via duty cycle.
Design and simulation of Buck- Boost converter12:41
design and simulate buck-boost converter in PCM software to step voltage up or down and invert the output, 40 v input and 50 v output at 25 kHz.
Inverters27:27
Explore how inverters convert dc battery power to ac for EV traction, enable regenerative braking, motor control, and power flow management, while covering different topologies and efficiency challenges.
Power semiconductor devices
Rectifier fed dc drives
chopper fed DC drives
cycloconverter fed AC drives
Inverted fed drives

Requirements

Introductory Knowledge of Electrical Machines and Motors

Description

This course provides an in-depth exploration of power converters specifically designed for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). With the growing demand for clean and efficient transportation, understanding how electrical energy is managed within these vehicles is essential. Power converters serve as critical components that control, regulate, and direct energy flow between key subsystems such as batteries, motors, and auxiliary electronics.

The course begins by introducing the fundamentals of power converters, highlighting their essential role in EV and HEV architectures. Students will then study various power semiconductor devices—including MOSFETs, BJTs, TRIACs, and power diodes—that form the foundation of most converter circuits. Their characteristics, switching behavior, and application in vehicle systems will be discussed in detail.

The curriculum is structured to cover practical converter applications such as:

Controlled rectifier-fed DC drives for different load types (R and RL)
Cycloconverter-fed AC drives using both step-up and step-down configurations
Chopper-fed DC drives, exploring all five classes (A to E) with quadrant-based operation
Speed control techniques for three-phase induction motors through stator voltage variation and slip power recovery

In addition, learners will engage in the design and simulation of DC-DC converters, including buck, boost, and buck-boost topologies, to understand voltage regulation for various vehicle loads. The course also emphasizes inverter functionality, explaining their operation in electric motor drives and their role in regenerative braking systems.

Using hands-on simulation tools and practical case studies, students will develop skills to analyze and design efficient power conversion systems tailored for e-mobility.

This course is ideal for students, researchers, and professionals in electrical, electronics, mechatronics, or automotive engineering who seek to build core competencies in EV power electronics and contribute to the future of sustainable transport.

Who this course is for:

Basic knowledge of electrical and electronic circuits – including voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm’s Law.
Familiarity with semiconductor devices – such as diodes and transistors (helpful but not mandatory).
Introductory knowledge of electric machines – especially DC motors and induction motors.
Understanding of AC and DC systems – basic concepts of alternating and direct current.