Research ArticleQuantitative Analysis of Efficiency Improvementof a Propulsion Drive by Using SiC Devices: A Case of Study

One of the emerging research topics in the propulsion drive of the electric vehicles is the improvement in the efficiency of itscomponent parts, namely, the propulsion motor and the associated inverter. This paper is focused on the efficiency of the inverterand analyzes the improvement that follows from the replacement of the silicon (Si) IGBT devices with silicon carbide (SiC)MOSFETs. To this end, the paper starts by deriving the voltage-current solicitations of the inverter over the working torque-speed plane of the propulsion motor. Then, a proper model of the power losses in the inverter over a supply period of the motoris formulated for the two types of device, including the integrated freewheeling diode. By putting together the voltage-currentsolicitations and the device power losses, the efficiency maps of the Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET inverters are calculated and comparedover the torque-speed plane. The results for the Si IGBT inverter are supported by measurements executed on a marketed C-segmentcompact electric car, while the SiC MOSFET loss model is validated by an on-purpose built test bench. Finally, the overall efficiencyof the propulsion drive is calculated by accounting for the motor efficiency. Main outcomes of the paper is a quantitative evaluationof both the improvement in the efficiency achievable with the SiC MOSFETs and the ensuing increase in the electric car range.