JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
ANANTAPUR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (AUTONOMOUS)
ANANTHAPURAMU – 515002 ANDHRA PRADESH 2025
MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY
in
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
(POWER AND INDUSTRIAL DRIVES)
PRESENTED BY
[Link] Naik(24001D2307)
Technical Seminar Presentation on
Design And Analysis Of Multilevel
Current Charging For Electrical Vehicles
CONTENTS
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES
LITERATURE SURVEY
BLOCK DIAGRAM
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
TYPES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
APPLICATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
ABSTRACT
Electric vehicles (EVs) help reduce pollution and save energy. They work using
batteries, power converters, and smart control systems. These systems manage how the
battery is charged and how power flows between the battery and the electric grid (both
charging and discharging).
Special chargers, like multilevel and multi-port converters, are used to make charging
more efficient and to connect with renewable energy sources like solar power. These
chargers also reduce energy loss and support high-power charging.
This uses a smart control system for a special type of charger called CHBML-AFE. It
includes controllers to keep voltage steady, reduce noise, and balance power between
different parts of the system.
Introduction to Multilevel Current Charging
Electric vehicle (EV) charging systems are evolving
to meet increasing energy demands.
Multilevel current charging offers a promising
solution for efficient power transfer.
This presentation explores the design and analysis of
multilevel current charging techniques for EVs.
OBJECTIVES
To develop a multilevel current charging system that optimizes energy transfer by
adjusting current levels based on battery conditions, reducing energy losses and
improving overall charging performance.
To minimize battery degradation by applying appropriate current levels during different
charging stages,thus reducing thermal stress, lithium plating, and overcharging risks.
To enable faster yet safe charging by delivering higher current during low SOC levels
and reducing it gradually as the battery nears full charge.
To incorporate intelligent control strategies (e.g., feedback loops, SOC and temperature
monitoring) for dynamic current adjustment according to real-time battery and
environmental conditions.
To design the system to be compatible with grid conditions, allowing demand-response
charging and renewable energy utilization to promote sustainable and grid-friendly EV
charging.
Literature Survey
R. Chandrasekaran (2023) highlighted the importance of lithium-ion batteries in EVs due to their high
energy and power density. He discussed the need for fast charging since current methods take 4–6
hours compared to just minutes for petrol vehicles. The paper reviewed slow, quick, and fast charging
methods and explained how traditional charging techniques like Constant Current (CC) and Constant
Voltage (CV) have limitations. To solve this, multi-level current charging was introduced to reduce
charging time and battery stress.
Javad Chevinly (2024) also emphasized that lithium-ion batteries are essential for EVs and echoed the
need for faster charging. The study explained how most charging stations use AC-DC and DC-DC
converters and reviewed different charging rates. It supported the development of multi-level current
charging to reduce battery damage and improve charging speed.
Jayant Kumar (2020) analyzed traditional EV chargers and noted their limitations such as low power
and lack of isolation. He proposed using Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) and Dual Active
Bridge (DAB) converters for high-power, multiport charging. These converters are more efficient,
scalable, and suitable for modern fast-charging needs due to features like soft switching and
bidirectional power flow.
Yaqian Zhang (2023) explored the limitations of conventional MMCs, especially their high cost and
large size. The study suggested that hybrid MMCs (with both half- and full-bridge modules) could be
more efficient. It pointed out gaps in current research and called for better capacitor design methods to
handle uneven energy distribution in MMCs under boost mode.
BLOCK DIAGRAM
Fig: MULTILEVEL CURRENT CHARGING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
System components:
AC Grid
Provides the input power supply (typically single-phase or three-phase AC).
AC-DC Converter / Rectifier
Converts the AC supply into a high-voltage DC. This is the first power conversion stage.
Power Factor Correction (PFC)
Optional stage to improve power quality and reduce harmonics from the grid side.
DC-Link Capacitor / Filter
Smoothens the pulsating DC voltage, storing energy and reducing ripple before feeding to the next stage.
Multilevel Inverter / Converter
Key component that divides the voltage into multiple levels (e.g., 3-level, 5-level, 7-level), reducing stress on power devices
and improving efficiency.
Current Controller / Charge Controller
Regulates the charging current according to the battery's SoC (State of Charge), temperature, and predefined charging
profiles (CC/CV method).
EV Battery Pack
The actual lithium-ion or similar type of battery in the vehicle that is being charged.
Battery Management System (BMS)
Monitors and manages battery health, voltage, temperature, and safety cutoffs during charging.
Types of Electric Vehicles:
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs):
BEVs are fully electric vehicles that rely solely on a battery
pack and electric motor for [Link] do not have an
internal combustion engine (ICE) and must be recharged from
an external electric power source.
The battery stores electrical energy, which powers the motor to
drive the wheels. These vehicles are known for producing zero
tailpipe emissions, making them environmentally friendly.
Examples include the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Hyundai
Kona Electric. BEVs have become increasingly popular due to
advancements in lithium-ion battery technology, which have
improved driving range and reduced charging times.
However, their performance still depends on battery capacity,
and the availability of charging infrastructure is a critical factor
in their widespread adoption.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs):
PHEVs combine both electric and conventional internal combustion
engine systems. They feature a rechargeable battery that allows for
electric-only driving for shorter distances (typically 30–60km), after
which the gasoline or diesel engine takes over or supports the electric
motor.
This hybrid design offers flexibility: users can benefit from emission-free
driving in city environments and switch to fuel when battery power runs
low, making them ideal for long-distance travel where charging
infrastructure may be limited.
Popular examples include the Toyota Prius Prime,Chevrolet Volt, and
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
PHEVs help bridge the gap between traditional vehicles and fully electric
mobility, but they still produce emissions when operating in fuel
mode,and their environmental benefit depends on usage patterns.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs):
HEVs also combine an internal combustion engine with an
electric motor, but unlike PHEVs, their batteries are charged
solely through regenerative braking and the engine itself—
they cannot be plugged in.
The electric motor assists the engine during acceleration and
captures energy during braking, improving fuel efficiency and
reducing emissions.
However, since they rely mostly on fuel and have limited
electric-only operation, their environmental benefit is modest
compared to BEVs and PHEVs.
HEVs are widely used because they require no change in
driver behavior or fueling habits and can be more efficient
than conventional vehicles, especially in stop-and-go
traffic.
Examples include the standard Toyota Prius and Honda
Insight.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs):
FCEVs use hydrogen gas as a fuel source to generate electricity via an
electrochemical reaction in a fuel cell.
The electricity produced powers the electric motor, and the only
byproducts are water vapor and heat, making FCEVs a clean energy
option.
They can be refueled in a few minutes,similar to gasoline vehicles, and
provide ranges comparable to BEVs or ICE vehicles.
However,FCEVs require a specialized hydrogen refueling
infrastructure, which is currently limited to specific regions.
Hydrogen production and storage also pose technical and economic
challenges.
Examples of FCEVs include the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and
Honda Clarity Fuel Cell.
Future Trends and Challenges
Integration of renewable energy sources can further
improve charging sustainability.
Addressing interoperability and standardization
remains a significant challenge.
Advances in power electronics and control algorithms
will continue to enhance multilevel charging systems.
Advantages:
Improved Power Quality: Multilevel converters like CHBML-AFE (Cascaded H-
Bridge Multilevel Active Front-End) provide low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD <
5%).
Better Efficiency: Achieves higher charging efficiency (>97%) due to soft-switching
and optimized control.
Reduced Torque Ripple: Improves motor performance during charging or
regenerative braking with smooth current output.
Bidirectional Power Flow: Supports Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality by allowing
both charging and discharging.
High Power Density: Compact designs offer more power per unit volume (e.g., 3.25
kW/L).
Voltage Flexibility: Adaptive voltage scaling allows charging from various sources
including solar PV and grid.
Better Thermal Management: Multilevel design spreads power across devices,
reducing individual component heating.
Enhanced Control Stability: Advanced control techniques (like Lyapunov Function
and PR controllers) ensure system stability even under unbalanced grid conditions.
DisAdvantages:
High Complexity:
Multilevel charging systems involve complex control and hardware architecture.
Costly Implementation:
Use of multiple power switches and control circuits increases cost.
EMI Issues:
High-frequency switching can lead to electromagnetic interference.
Thermal Stress in Compact Units:
Despite improved distribution, thermal limits still pose challenges in high-density compact
designs.
Control Coordination Difficulty:
Synchronizing multi-stage converters and control loops is difficult.
Maintenance and Reliability:
More components mean increased chances of fault and maintenance complexity.
APPLICATIONS
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations : Used in fast and efficient EV chargers,
especially for public charging infrastructure where high power and low harmonic
distortion are essential.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Systems: Enables EVs to send power back to the grid during peak
demand, improving grid stability and energy management.
Home & Commercial EV Charging :Multilevel charging can be integrated into residential
and commercial charging units for energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions.
Renewable Energy Integration : Supports hybrid energy sources like solar panels and
batteries for clean and sustainable EV charging.
Battery Management Systems (BMS) : Improves charging efficiency, battery life, and
safety in electric vehicles through precise current control.
Electric Buses & Fleet Charging: Suitable for high-power charging of electric buses,
trucks, and delivery vans, helping manage large-scale EV operations.
CONCLUSIONS:
The collection of studies emphasizes the importance of advanced charging techniques
like Multilevel Current Charging (MLCC) and Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC)
in enhancing the efficiency, safety, and performance of electric vehicle (EV) charging
systems.
MLCC introduces a stepwise current adjustment based on battery state, reducing
thermal stress and extending battery life compared to traditional methods. Intelligent
control algorithms integrated into these systems enable real-time current modulation,
resulting in faster charging, improved power quality, and better alignment with smart
grid standards.
Additionally, hardware innovations such as GaN-based multilevel inverters and MMC
combined with distributed energy storage and split Dual-Active Bridge (DAB)
submodules further strengthen the case for modular, scalable EV charging
infrastructure.
These architectures offer high-frequency operation, reduced harmonic distortion,
bidirectional power flow, and dynamic reconfiguration across multiple AC/DC ports.
Validated through simulations and prototypes, these designs demonstrate high
efficiency, reliability, and the ability to support multiple vehicles simultaneously—
making them highly suitable for next-generation EV charging stations that demand
compactness, flexibility, and integration with renewable energy sources.
REFERENCES
[1]. R. Chandrasekaran, [Link], Dr .[Link], [Link] “Design and
Analysis of Multilevel
Current Charging For Electric Vehicles” 978-0-7381-2447 2020 IEEE
[2] Javad Chevinly1 , Shervin Salehi Rad1 , Elias Nadi2 , Bogdan Proca3 , John
Wolgemuth3 , Anthony Calabro3 , Hua Zhang2 , Fei Lu1 “Gallium Nitride (GaN)
based High-Power Multilevel H-Bridge Inverter for Wireless Power Transfer of
Electric Vehicles” 2024 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo
(ITEC) | 979-8-3503-1766-4/24/$31.00 ©2024 IEEE
[3] F. Ciccarelli, A. DeI Pizzo, D. Iannuzzi “An Ultra-Fast Charging Architecture
Based on Modular
Multilevel Converters Integrated With Energy Storage Buffers” Eighth
International Conference
and Exhibition on Ecological Vehicles and Renewable Energies (EVER)
[4] Jayant Kumar Dhayapule Mounika Siba Kumar Patro “Design of Multiport
Charging Station with
Modular Multilevel Converter Integrated with Split Dual Active Bridge” 2024
IEEE 4th International
Conference on Sustainable Energy and Future Electric Transportation (SEFET)