The Role and Importance of Inverters and Converters in an Electric Vehicle


When compared to conventional petrol or diesel-run cars, electric cars have significant differences and several benefits. With an increasing number of people opting for electric cars, it is important to understand the working of the internal parts of an electric vehicle. One  of the most vital parts of an automobile is its control system. In electric vehicles, these are more complex and have additional components like high voltage batteries, motors, inverters, converters, pumps and regenerative brakes. The  inverter and converter are two key components that work together to manage the power and recharging the circuits. 

An inverter is an electrical device that converts electricity derived from a Direct Current (DC) source to Alternating Current (AC), which can be used to drive a device or appliance. The inverter receives DC power from the battery and directs it towards the primary winding in a transformer within the inverter itself. Through an electronic switch which is generally a set of semiconductor transistors, the electric charge flows into the primary winding. However, the direction of the charge is reversed and it begins to flow out. This produces AC in the transformer's secondary winding circuit. Using this induced alternating current, an electric vehicle's traction motor provides power to the vehicle.


Within  every electric vehicle, the battery generates a certain amount of voltage, typically several hundred volts of DC. The electric components inside the vehicle have varying voltage requirements, hence the charge of this voltage might not be appropriate for the other components and devices connected in the electric vehicle. This includes the radio, dashboard readouts, air conditioning, in-built screens and displays that run on a low voltage. Therefore, the latest electric cars designed in India or anywhere else in the world, have a device is known as a DC/DC converter.

The voltage converter is an electrical device used to change the voltage (either AC or DC) of an electrical power source. The DC/DC converter in an electric car helps in keeping the battery charged by supplying DC power to the accessories when the car is running. There are two types of voltage converters – Step-Up converters that increase the voltage and Step-Down converters which decrease the voltage. Converters are commonly used to increase (step-up) low voltage to high voltage in order to manage a high-power consumption load.

Latest electric cars that are being manufactured in India ensure that the inverter and converter act as a single unit to manage the electric drive systems. Along with a built-in charge controller, the inverter and converter supply current to the battery to recharge it during regenerative braking. They also provide electricity to the electric motor or generator to propel the vehicle. Electric vehicles are known to use relatively low-voltage DC batteries, but they also require highly efficient a high-voltage AC motor or generators. The inverter and converter unit is responsible for controlling the different voltage charges and ensure that the required current reaches the various parts.


Electric  car owners need to note that the use of transformers and semiconductors in inverters generate a large amount of heat. They require adequate cooling and ventilation to stay operational and functional in the long run. If the inverters are used when the engine is not running, it may start depleting the battery swiftly and place stress on the electric vehicle’s alternator or motor. Therefore , electric cars have a dedicated cooling system to achieve energy efficiency and maintain the temperature range and uniformity. Pumps, radiators and fan cooling put additional weight which is why liquid cooling systems are used in electric vehicles. The major benefits of liquid cooling are that it does not consume too much power, it is easy to implement and fits well in the vehicle’s internal systems. One  of the latest electric cars in India, the Tata Nexon EV, uses liquid cooling for its thermal management system.

The inverter and converter must work in tandem for the smooth running of the controller and all the other delicate control systems of the vehicle. Owners should conduct periodic maintenance to make sure all these components are properly serviced for correct and efficient operation. 


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