Demand for electronic components for AC & DC EV charging stations is rising: Consystem and its partnership with the sector’s #1 suppliers
EV charging stations: current trends and future developments in a fast-growing market
Electric vehicle charging stations (EV-chargers) are now a rapidly growing market. Between 2021 and 2025, global growth of 22.02 billion dollars is expected (Technavio) and 6.36 billion dollars in Europe (Business Wire), reaching a CAGR of close to 31%. This trend is also favored by the decreasing price of lithium-ion batteries, used in the production of electric vehicles for their greater durability and efficiency, as well as shorter charging times, compared to nickel-based batteries.
Despite the market’s steady growth, both in Europe and in Italy there is a significant lack of fast charging points (or “DC fast chargers”). Specifically, MOTUS-E points out that in our country only 7% of charging points are direct current (DC) – i.e. fast charging – compared to the remaining 93% in alternating current (AC) – slow charging.
However, the PNRR (Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan) has announced 750 million euros in funding for charging points defined as “Fast” (≥ 50 < 100 kW), “Super-Fast 1” (≥ 100 < 200 kW) and “Super-Fast 2” (≥ 200 kW). Specifically, the plan foresees the creation of 7,500 fast charging points on highways, 13,755 in urban centers, and 100 experimental charging stations powered by energy storage technologies. This investment is part of a broader push toward electrification of mobility (particularly in the automotive sector), which is already growing strongly (unlike the “traditional” car market, which is sharply slowing down), and has various interconnected goals: contributing to decarbonization to move increasingly toward a “green-tech” future and, as a result, improving the quality of our lives.
In light of this scenario, the electronic components sector is seeing growing demand for products capable of meeting the needs of the electric vehicle charging station market: AC and, increasingly, DC as well.
Consystem and its partnership with leading suppliers in the E-mobility sector
Consystem, an electronic components distributor with thirty years of experience, has a solid partnership with world #1 companies in the production of high-performance solutions for the electric charging station market, including Fast and Super-Fast stations.
These include ABB, a Swiss-Swedish company with a history of excellence in Power Supply that began more than 130 years ago. ABB is constantly committed to tackling what it defines as “the world’s energy challenges” through technological solutions that, by reducing harmful emissions and preserving natural resources, make buildings and transportation more energy-efficient and safer. With all the resulting impact on the quality of life globally.
Along these lines, the company is laying the foundations for a future characterized by smarter, more reliable, emission-free mobility, accessible to everyone everywhere, thanks to a wide range of products, including power supply solutions specifically designed to meet the needs of various types of charging stations.
In addition to Power Supply solutions, other components for which demand is visibly growing in the EV-charger field are: EMI filters, connectors/cables for charging electric vehicles, and 13.56MHz NFC/RFID antenna modules. Below is an overview of the solutions offered by Consystem to meet each of these needs.
The importance of EMI filters
EMI filters must ensure the correct operation, safety and compliance of charging stations, both AC and DC (Super-Fast), with regulations on electromagnetic emissions.
In particular, the three-phase input for DC fast chargers requires multiple power conversion stages. This can introduce considerable electromagnetic disturbance into the systems, making compliance with emission regulations (conducted and radiated) complex. Electromagnetic disturbances at the output can also lead (especially with very high voltages) to compliance issues for the entire system and require very costly redesigns (in terms of money and time).
Astrodyne TDI responds to these needs, an American multinational specialized in power supply and power management with a wide portfolio of high-efficiency, high-performance solutions in compact sizes.
The RP695 series: Astrodyne’s new solution for EV-chargers (including Super-Fast)
The RP695 series from Astrodyne TDI is Consystem’s proposal in terms of high-current, two-stage EMI/EMC filters operating up to 1500 V DC. RP695 filters are currently offered with rated currents of 450 A, 600 A, 1000 A and 1600 A and selectable Y capacitor values from 0 to 2000 nF (customizable on request). Furthermore, the series has a Line To Ground isolation of 6000 Vdc.
The RP695 series also stands out for its compact dimensions: from 122 x 260 x 128 mm up to 140 x 316 x 130 mm. Thanks to these features, this series of EMI filters can simplify design-in and be easily installed where space is critical (e.g. charging stations), while ensuring full compliance, safety and system efficiency. The series is also available with a busbar option.
👉🏻 DISCOVER ASTRODYNE TDI’S EMI FILTERS
Antenna modules: Reyax Technology’s proposals
Among the electronic components particularly in demand for EV-chargers are antenna modules.
One example is represented by Reyax Technology’s modules, high-quality and reliable solutions for electric charging station manufacturers.
In this field, Reyax offers the RYRR10S, a 13.56-MHz RFID and Near Field Communication (NFC) system with built-in programming options that make the device suitable for a wide range of applications, including payment systems for electric charging stations. Among the main features of these modules are: ST CR95HF NFC/RFID engine, support for Near Field Communication (NFC) ISO/IEC 18092, fully integrated protocol management for ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 14443A, ISO/IEC 14443B, integrated PCB antenna and optional UART/SPI interface.
The partnership between Consystem and the manufacturers mentioned here allows – thanks to the former’s extensive experience in electronic component distribution and the latter’s technologically advanced solutions – to provide customers with specialized technical support in choosing the solutions best suited to their needs, as well as to the various existing charging methods and new applications. In particular, Consystem has a specialized team in the E-mobility/EV-charger field made up of specialists with a strong technical background who support the customer throughout the entire sales cycle, standing by their side from design-in through to after-sales support.
Article published in the magazine Selezione di Elettronica in May 2022