Challenges and Advancements in Fast Charging Solutions for EVs: A Technological Review

The growing demand for battery electric vehicles has expedited the need for new charging approaches to improve speed and reliability of the charging process. DC fast charging has shown great potential to meet the requirement. However, it also brings significant challenges to the current technologies in terms of battery chemistry, charging profile, power electronics converter topologies, and grid impact. This paper explores a technological roadmap for this fast-developing area and evaluates challenges and advancements. A detailed overview of lithium-ion batteries discusses several candidates for DC fast charging along with thermal management for the battery pack design. The selection of charging algorithm is also very important, and several potential candidates have been developed, which are compared. Based on the study, it is clear that there are several opportunities for improvements in this area. The modular design of power converter is essential, and new wide-bandgap materials shall play an important role.