GALESBURG – Power management company Eaton announced its eMobility business has developed compact power-dense automotive inverters capable of increasing the range of electric vehicles.
The inverters, which draw electricity from the battery and control how it is applied to the motor to manage power and torque, will be tested by a global automaker in first quarter 2019. The OEM was not disclosed.
eMobility developed the vehicle inverters with a power density of 35 kilowatts per liter and 98 percent operating efficiency. The inverter’s high-power density and compact, lightweight design help maximize range while taking up minimal space in the vehicle.
“Most global automakers have different vehicle electrification strategies, so the products we are developing must be able to support a range of applications,” said Scott Adams, senior vice president, eMobility.
“Regardless of the strategy, electric vehicles need efficient and compact power electronics, and our new line of efficient inverters can be adapted for any application,”
Adams noted Eaton’s inverters provide best-in-class performance with power-dense packaging that is powerful and adaptable. They can be tailored to a wide range of customer requirements and applications.”
Eaton projects xEVs will increase to 38 percent of the global passenger car market by 2030, with share dispersed among battery electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid electric and mild hybrid electric. Eaton’s inverters can be used in all types of electric vehicles, as well as other alternative fuel vehicles, such hydrogen fuel cell cars.
