Electric propulsion power system-overview

Electric automobile power system technology has not improved substantially beyond what it was in the 1930s. The 1976 Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Act´s research and development efforts have focused on technologies to reduce costs and to improve system performance through programs like the US Automotive Battery Consortium (USABC). Despite renewed interest and increased research and development efforts, the problems of high cost, low reliability, and availability of power electronic components still remain. The author discusses projection of costs through 2005 and 2015, the development of power electronics and control technologies, electric, hybrid, fuel cell and thermoelectric powered vehicles, power electronic components (inverters and converters, power switches), and materials and device technology.