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Ideal Power Adds Leading Commercial Electric Vehicle Manufacturer to its B-TRAN™ Test and Evaluation Program
AUSTIN, Texas, March 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ideal Power Inc. (Nasdaq: IPWR), pioneering the development and commercialization of highly efficient and
About this update from Ideal Power Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"AUSTIN, Texas, March 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ideal Power Inc. (Nasdaq: IPWR), pioneering the development and commercialization of highly efficient and broadly patented B-TRAN™ bidirectional power switches, today announced that a leading manufacturer of commercial electric vehicles (EVs), EV powertrain components and EV charging infrastructure will be sampling B-TRAN™ devices for use in power conversion applications in its commercial EVs, initially for the DC-DC converter, with other EV and EV charging applications potentially to follow. This represents Ideal Power’s third test and evaluation announcement in the EV space. The power switch market for EV and hybrid EVs was approximately $1.5 billion in 2020 and, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15%, is the fastest growing segment of the power switch market. Power semiconductor switches, which are the second highest cost component of EVs after batteries, representing 8-10% of the total EV production cost, are needed in the drivetrain, DC-DC converter and on-board charger and for circuit protection. Replacing existing insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) with BTRAN™s is expected to increase drive cycle efficiency, reduce cooling requirements and either reduce battery size and cost or improve the driving range of EVs. B-TRAN™ significantly reduces the power losses of traditional power semiconductors, which typically account for about 20% of the total electric power losses in hybrid EVs and potentially more of the losses in an EV. Additionally, the B-TRAN™, which is currently fabricated in silicon, can reduce component count by up to 75% in bidirectional applications and has the potential to offer a compelling and much lower cost alternative in EV applications to power semiconductors fabricated in silicon carbide. “We are excited to collaborate with this EV leader and look forward to seeing the results of B-TRAN™ testing and evaluation in EV power conversion applications,” stated Dan Brdar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ideal Power. “The fast switching, low conduction losses, and bidirectional capability of B-TRAN™ are well-suited for EVs, where fewer components and less weight mean better power efficiency and greater EV range. We are now working with a broad range of leading companies as well as smaller, innovative companies and research un...