The researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) have unveiled a universal battery charger designed for electric vehicles (EVs), which could revolutionize the EV charging infrastructure. This innovation addresses a critical challenge in the electric mobility sector: the need for versatile, reliable, and widely compatible charging solutions, according to a Deccan Herald report.
The team, led by Dr. Deepak Ronanki, Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Design, has developed a charger that can adapt to a wide range of voltage outputs (120-900 V) from various global power supplies. This flexibility means it can charge different types of EVs—from two-wheelers to four-wheelers—using a single unit.
“This charger can modify the input power supply based on the EV’s requirements and deliver an output voltage tailored to the battery pack,” explained Dr. Ronanki. “We aimed to create a universal charger akin to a petrol station, where every type of vehicle can be refueled without hassle. And we’ve succeeded.”
The charger, detailed in the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, offers several pioneering features. Unlike current chargers, which are often specific to vehicle types and regional power specifications, the IIT-M charger is reconfigurable and modular. It supports both onboard and offboard applications, enhancing its versatility.
This development is timely, as the transportation sector is rapidly shifting towards electric mobility. EV adoption is expected to increase by 58% by 2040, necessitating robust charging solutions that mimic the convenience and speed of traditional fossil fuel stations. The IIT-M universal charger could significantly streamline the charging infrastructure, reducing the need for multiple, vehicle-specific chargers.
The research, supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, under a startup research grant, has progressed to the prototype stage.
The IIT-M team is currently engaged in discussions with several industry partners to bring this technology to market. “We are in talks with multiple companies and expect to finalize a partner soon,” said Dr. Ronanki. “Commercial production could commence within a year.”
Harish Karneddi, a research scholar at IIT-M, highlighted the charger’s unique ability to operate efficiently across its entire voltage range. “This feature is not found in any other available battery chargers,” he noted, emphasizing the charger’s potential to set new standards in EV charging technology.
