This New IIT Tech Will Reduce Charging Cost By 50%: Big Boost For Electric Mobility In India!

IIT researchers have developed a new technology for charging Electric Vehicles (EVs) which costs about half of the current on-board charger technology.

By slashing costs by half, it also helps significantly reduce the cost of two-and-four-wheeler EVs.

Government Backing

It has been a collaborative effort involving researchers in IIT (BHU), Varanasi, IIT Guwahati and IIT Bhubaneswar.

The project has received funding support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.

EV Maker Already Interested

The lab scale development has already been done at IIT (BHU).

Upgradation and commercialisation is now in progress.

A leading EV manufacturer has expressed interest in this technology and is prepared to develop a full-fledged commercial product which can be applied to existing EVs.

This is good timing considering the rising prices of petrol and diesel along with pollution levels in the country.

Why EV Costs Are High

EVs are the solution preferable to conventional IC engines.

However, EVs are held back by high costs due to lack of high power off board charging infrastructure which “forces automakers to incorporate onboard chargers into the vehicle itself”, explained Chief Project Investigator, IIT BHU Rajeev Kumar Singh.

The EV owner charges the vehicle through the outlet which makes them expensive. 

How The New Tech Cuts Costs

The proposed onboard charger technology reduces one additional power electronics interface required for propulsion mode.

The proposed charger is reconfigurable, so it can function as a charger for charging mode and inverter for propulsion mode.

With this, the components involved are reduced by 50% and the cost of the onboard charger will be reduced by almost 40-50% compared to the existing one.

This subsequently takes down the price of the EV.

How It Will Work

A specific connector will be provided with the vehicle for its charging.

The charger will be connected to an ordinary household three-pin power source using the connector.

Then the EV can be easily charged at home.

The technology is completely indigenous and will have a big impact on EVs in India by improving charging infrastructure.

Environment And Community Benefits

Its techno-commercial, social, economic and environmental impact will also be positive.

EVs help achieve sustainable development by eliminating tailpipe emissions, reducing fossil fuel dependence and reduction in electricity rates by integrating renewable energy into existing electricity networks.

In addition, it will also provide support to the government’s target to increase EV penetration and adoption in the country. 

Dedicated EV Department

IIT (BHU) Varanasi plans to set up an interdisciplinary centre on EV technology.

It will conduct research on design, fabrication, and testing of battery management systems.

It will further provide solutions to R&D problems and develop human resources in this area.