Many countries are enacting legislation to increase the number of electric vehicles (EVs), with the goal of phasing out or eventually banning petrol and diesel vehicles. While early adopters may have been motivated by environmental benefits, a sizable portion of the market also remains concerned with range limitations and charging times of EVs.
The automotive industry is being challenged to innovate and create solutions that appeal to a larger audience, which is driving the trend to higher battery voltages. Most of the passenger EVs on the road today run using 400-V batteries. EV buses and trucks are 600-V-class vehicles, and 800 V is starting to be adopted for passenger vehicles.
The introduction of 800-V systems, a significant step up from existing 400-V systems, is happening faster than many predicted. What are the benefits of an 800-V system, and how do they help solve some of the problems that have been barriers to consumers and slowed the rollout of electric vehicles?