ABSTRACT
DC/DC converters (aka buck-boost converters) are used in the electric drive system for many types of electric vehicles-on-wheels. DC/DC converters are used to increase (boost) or decrease (buck) battery voltages (typically 200–450 V) to accommodate the voltage needs of motors and other vehicles and components. If the vehicle electric motor requires higher voltage, such as an internal permanent magnet motor, it will require a boost DC/DC converter. If a component requires lower voltage, such as most vehicle systems (lighting, entertainment, and other accessories), it will require a buck DC/DC converter that reduces the voltage to the 12–42 V level. Research on developing improved converters is active and ongoing. The goal is to increase efficiency, miniaturize or reduce part count, and enable modular (i.e., modular in that it or they contain several parts that serve small functions but combine to serve purpose of the devices and modules can be removed and replaced), scalable devices (i.e., scalable in the sense that it allows for the capacity to accommodate a greater amount of usage).
