A comprehensive topological assessment of power electronics converters for charging of electric vehicles

Electrifying the transport sector requires new possibilities for power electronics converters to attain reliable and efficient charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs). With the continuous development in power electronics converters, the desire to reduce gasoline consumption and to increase the battery capacity for more electric range is achievable for EVs in the near future. The main interface between the power network and EV battery system is a power electronics converter; therefore, there is a considerable need of new power converters with low cost and high reliability for the advance charging mechanism of EVs. The rapid growth in power converter topologies brings substantial opportunities in EV charging process. In view of this fact, this paper investigates the significant aspects, current progress, and challenges associated with several power converters to suggest further improvements in charging systems of EVs. In particular, an extensive analysis of front-end and back-end converter configurations is presented. Moreover, the comparative properties of resonant converter topologies along with other DC-DC converters are discussed in detail. Additionally, isolated and non-isolated topologies with soft switching techniques are classified and rigorously analyzed with a view to their respective issues and benefits. Power electronics challenges that exist in the transport sector are further highlighted. It is foreseen that this paper would be a valuable addition and a worthy source of information for researchers exploring the area of power converter topologies for charging solutions of EVs.