The state-of-the-art of power electronics converters configurations in electric vehicle technologies

Today, the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is gradually being replaced by electric motors, which results in higher efficiency and low emission of greenhouse gases. The electric vehicle either works wholly or partially on electrical energy generated from batteries and ultra-capacitors. The battery or ultra-capacitor is either charged from the AC supply connected to a grid line in a plug-in electric vehicle or from ICE in a hybrid electric vehicle. Alternatively, the battery charges from the traction motor by regenerative braking. In the reverse direction, the energy from the battery or ultra-capacitor is injected into the AC grid line in the plug-in electric vehicle. Power electronic converters play a vital role in the conversion process from grid line to traction motor and in the reverse direction. In this paper, the role of power electronics converters in an electric vehicle is elaborated. The bidirectional DC-DC converter plays a vital role in the power conversion process of electric vehicles. The existing bidirectional DC-DC converter topologies are discussed with a comprehensive review, comparison, and application. Additionally, the advancement in power electronics converters to improve the efficiency and reliability of the vehicular system is elaborated.