Powerful, Efficient Electric Vehicle Chargers

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Program:
ADEPT
Award:
$3,914,051
Location:
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
09/14/2010 - 03/31/2014
Website:
TBD

Technology Description:

Currently, charging the battery of an electric vehicle (EV) is a time-consuming process because chargers can only draw about as much power from the grid as a hair dryer. APEI is developing an EV charger that can draw as much power as a clothes dryer, which would drastically speed up charging time. APEI's charger uses silicon carbide (SiC)-based power transistors. These transistors control the electrical energy flowing through the charger's circuits more effectively and efficiently than traditional transistors made of straight silicon. The SiC-based transistors also require less cooling, enabling APEI to create EV chargers that are 10 times smaller than existing chargers.

Potential Impact:

If successful, APEI would make it faster and easier to charge EVs, helping to facilitate their widespread use.

Security:

Widespread use of EVs would reduce fossil fuel consumption and reliance on foreign sources of fuel.

Environment:

Increased use of EVs could reduce the number of gas-powered vehicles and their harmful emissions.

Economy:

Making it cheaper and easier to charge EVs would save consumers time and money.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Timothy Heidel
Project Contact:
Dr. Ty McNutt
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
tmcnutt@apei.net

Partners

Cree, Inc.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America
University of Arkansas

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Release Date:
03/02/2010