EV Market and Wireless Charging
By Sang Chon, C2000™ MCU Automotive Marketing Manager, Texas Instruments
By Grant Reig, Senior Product Manager, Automotive, WiTricity
Introduction
Electric vehicles (EVs) are set to transform the transportation industry, alongside autonomous vehicles and ride-sharing services. Infrastructure development, including widespread charging options like wireless charging, is progressing rapidly.
The EV market is experiencing significant growth, driven by consumer demand, government initiatives, and advancements in battery technology. As of 2016, 14 countries had set aggressive EV deployment targets, with many planning to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Forecasters predict substantial EV adoption, with millions expected on the roads by 2020 and 2025.
Government Plans to Transition to EV
| Country | Goal for transition to EV |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Banning ICEs by 2040 |
| France | End sales of ICEs by 2040 |
| India | EVs only for sale by 2030 |
| Norway | Only zero-emission vehicles by 2025 |
Improved cost-competitiveness, largely due to decreasing battery costs (from around $1,000/kWh in 2010 to over $200/kWh by 2016), is a key factor spurring EV adoption. McKinsey & Co. projects EVs will achieve cost parity with ICE vehicles by 2030.
Automotive manufacturers are responding to these trends, with companies like Volkswagen, GM, Daimler AG, Ford, Honda, Renault, Nissan, and Geely announcing ambitious EV sales targets.
Near Term: The Early EV Adopters
Early EV adopters are typically willing to overlook initial limitations for the long-term potential. They have accepted higher purchase prices and "range anxiety," often finding that their daily driving habits are well within an EV's range. Many also find charging convenient, as they can recharge while parked.
While publicly available charging infrastructure (EVSE) is still developing, EVs offer an advantage as drivers can charge where they park, avoiding detours. Managing the increased demand on the power grid from EV charging is crucial, with slower, "trickle" charging during off-peak hours potentially being more beneficial for grid stability than widespread ultra-fast charging.
Medium Term: The Roaring 2020s
By the 2020s, many current EV limitations are expected to diminish, leading to mass adoption. Battery technology will improve power density and charging speed, with driving ranges potentially exceeding 300 miles. The International Energy Agency anticipates EV mileage ranges to triple during the decade.
Charging infrastructure will become more robust and diverse, with strategically located fast-charging facilities for road trips and trickle-charging outlets in residential and commercial areas. China aims for 4.3 million private and 500,000 public charging outlets by 2020, while France targets 7 million by 2030.
Strategic planning is essential to balance fast and trickle charging, and public versus private facilities, to manage grid impact. New charging technologies, including automatic wireless charging in various locations, will help mitigate power spikes.
Public Infrastructure
A visual representation of electric vehicles parked at public charging stations, illustrating the growing charging infrastructure.
Charging Dynamics
Charging stations are becoming smarter, supporting bidirectional charging, where vehicles can return power to the grid in exchange for incentives. This capability can help utilities manage demand more smoothly.
The expanding EV support infrastructure will include both wired and wireless charging options. The speed and efficiency of wired and wireless charging are comparable, with efficiency typically ranging from 80% to 96%. Convenience is a key factor for EV owners.
An Autonomous Future
The development of autonomous vehicles is closely linked with EVs. Companies like Google, Uber, Tesla, and BMW are making strides in autonomous driving, but infrastructure innovation is equally important.
By 2035, 85 million autonomous vehicles are projected on the road. Automated wireless charging will be essential, allowing fleets of autonomous taxis to charge themselves at designated facilities without manual intervention.
Dynamic wireless charging, where vehicles charge while moving over embedded road equipment, is also envisioned for high-traffic areas. This could reduce battery sizes and further encourage EV adoption.
WiTricity Wireless Charging
As autonomous EVs become prevalent, wireless charging will be a core component of the transportation system, enabling park-and-charge or dynamic charge-on-the-go solutions. It offers a hands-off, safe, and efficient charging method.
WiTricity develops wireless charging solutions using patented magnetic resonance technology, offering comparable charge times and efficiencies to wired systems. The company collaborates with global carmakers and suppliers to advance this technology, aiming for a future of electrified, shared, and autonomous transportation.
Home EV Wireless Charging System
A depiction of an electric vehicle parked over a wireless charging pad in a residential setting, illustrating a common home charging scenario.
WiTricity's DRIVE reference design supports vehicles from PHEVs to high-capacity EVs, offering charging from 3.6–11 kW (with future 22 kW capability). It is designed for interoperability and can be installed on-ground or flush in-ground, making it a leading global wireless charging reference design.
Enabling Real-Time Power Conversion
Real-time power conversion is critical for wireless charging systems, requiring significant processing power and resources. Texas Instruments' 32-bit C2000™ real-time microcontrollers (MCUs) are well-suited for EV and EVSE infrastructure.
The C2000 MCUs feature a powerful digital signal processor (DSP) for complex mathematical calculations, essential for real-time power electronic control. They include advanced on-chip ADCs and high-resolution PWMs, along with a comprehensive set of peripherals, making them ideal for smart EV wireless charging platforms.
C2000™ Microcontroller Block Diagram
A diagram illustrating the Texas Instruments C2000 microcontroller, highlighting its key capabilities including Sensing (ADCs), Processing (C28x™ CPU, FPU, TMU, VCU-II, CLA coprocessor), Actuation (ePWM modules, DACs), Connectivity (UART, I2C, SPI, CAN, USB), and System Modules (CPU Timers, NMI Watchdog, PIE) essential for real-time power conversion and control in EV charging applications.
Conclusion
The transportation system is evolving towards a smarter, autonomous, safer, and cleaner future. The increasing adoption of EVs and the development of foundational technologies like wireless charging systems, advanced batteries, and powerful processors are paving the way for this transformation.
Resources
- Global EV Outlook 2017, by the IEA, page 6
- Global EV Outlook 2017, by the IEA, page 23
- Source: Business Insider, 10/9/2017
- Global EV Outlook 2017, by the IEA, page 21
- Global EV Outlook 2017, by the IEA, page 23
- Global EV Outlook 2017, by the IEA
- Navigant research as referenced in the article "Wireless Charging and autonomous vehicles will mobilize the smart city" by Alex Gruzen in Charged magazine.
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