Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1442865
Wolfspeed PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Fast-charging designs must satisfy multiple stakeholders and technical requirements It's one thing to build out fast EV-charging infrastructure in unused locations, whether it's the heart of a city or along a highway as part of a chain of traditional gas stations. However, if you are going to mirror the convenience and dependability of conventional gas-fueled vehicles, there are many requirements for the fast EV-charging stations themselves, as well as the needs and expectations of several key stakeholders to consider. It's not just EV owners who are affected. For example, it's also businesses that might want to build out an EV-powered fleet, condo towers that wish to house fast chargers, and municipalities that must weigh the impact of charging infrastructure on the power grid. Most utilities are a mix of aging equipment that goes back decades and newer systems that were added as cities grew outward. Looking ahead, it is evident that all types of utilities will get put under tremendous pressure to be highly efficient to meet the increased demands of a new, fast EV-charging infrastructure. Drivers, meanwhile, are going to expect the same charging experience everywhere they go. Thus, fast EV-charging infrastructure is going to have to be integrated into centuries-old historic neighborhoods as cleanly as they are at service stations on an interstate or in a brand-new condo tower. Businesses with EV-powered fleets also are going to have high standards so they can be confident that their vehicles can keep running and meet their customer expectations. The requirements for fast chargers themselves are numerous and vary from customer to customer, although their expectations do overlap. Both municipalities and businesses alike are expecting rugged designs, connected, and flexible— universal, ideally—that are robust enough for dirty and wet environments, and ready for any weather conditions from around the world. Businesses also require that chargers be small, high-efficiency, and affordable, as do car owners, whose essential design requirements are something that's light, reliable, and easily installed. Finally, range anxiety is not the only long-haul concern. Any fast EV-charging infrastructure must anticipate future requirements and customer experience expectations, including bidirectional capability and e-commerce capabilities. No stakeholder in the fast EV-charging ecosystem wants to put time, effort, and money into infrastructure that will have to get replaced in a few years. A fast charger solution based upon new, highly efficient SiC power devices ticks all the boxes from a design perspective while supporting the longevity and flexibility inherent in a resilient infrastructure that must satisfy a wide variety of customers and needs. SiC-based solutions satisfy tomorrow's charging demands The global demand for fast EV-charging infrastructure means we need high power and more rapid chargers, and they must be abundant and cost-effective. Ultimately, this must get reflected within the hardware, and SiC MOSFETs and diodes must meet all the overlapping design goals of car owners, businesses, and municipalities. | 4 | | 15 | WOLFSPEED 650V SILICON CARBIDE (SIC) SCHOTTKY DIODE s