Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1538715
C h a p t e r 4 PUSHING PASSIVES TO THE LIMIT As the pace of vehicle electrification accelerates, the demands placed on passive components are escalating in parallel. The result is a design landscape where qualifications like AEC-Q200 only scratch the surface of what's sufficient. Instead, passives must now meet application-specific reliability benchmarks across broader environmental and load conditions than ever before. Thermal shock and cycling are among the most punishing stresses faced by components in electrified vehicles. Whether during fast charging or aggressive regenerative braking, components are often exposed to rapid and repeated temperature swings. These transitions from ambient to peak thermal load in seconds can induce mechanical fatigue, delamination, and material breakdown in capacitors and inductors if not properly designed. While AEC-Q200 covers a range of thermal cycling standards, many OEMs now require validation that goes well beyond the baseline, especially for parts mounted under the hood, in the powertrain, or in chassis-mounted modules. High-vibration environments also pose reliability challenges. Inductors and chokes, which are often larger and heavier than other passives, are especially vulnerable to mechanical stress. Future-ready EV designs require next-gen passive components with enhanced thermal, electrical, and volumetric performance, can withstand rapid current spikes, and are qualified per automotive standards for safety and long- term reliability." Lingan Jeevanandam Specialist Hardware Engineer, Volvo Group 22 Powering the New Automotive Era with Smart Passive Solutions