ST powers portable e-car charger

Silicon-carbide (SiC) power electronics from STMicroelectronics have enabled the creation of the ZapCharger Portable, claimed to be the world’s smallest, smartest and safest electric-car charging station, from start-up company Zaptec. A portable electric-car charger with built-in electronic transformer, ZapCharger works with any electric car on any grid.

The power-conversion capabilities of ST’s SiC MOSFET devices have enabled Zaptec engineers to design a portable yet powerful piece of equipment. Said to be 10 times smaller and lighter than products with the comparable performance, the 3 kg, 45 x 10 x 10 cm charger delivers energy efficiency of 97%.

The water- and weatherproof ZapCharger is galvanically insulated and continuously monitors the grid it is connected to. It dynamically adjusts the amount of power it delivers and can shut down immediately if it detects a fault in order to protect the car. The charger offers GPRS connectivity and operates over an extended temperature range from -40 to +55°C.

Inside the product, 32 high-voltage SiC Power MOSFETs from ST deliver efficient power conversion with minimal losses. Compared with traditional (silicon) solutions, these components can sustain higher voltages, current and temperatures. Their power-conversion circuits also operate faster, enabling smaller, lighter designs, higher system efficiency and reduced cooling requirements.

“The key for us was to find a power technology with a very high efficiency so we could reduce the overall size of the charger without compromising performance,” said Zaptec COO Jonas Helmikstøl. “ST’s silicon-carbide offering was the perfect match. The support of ST as a strong and reliable partner helped us transform our invention into a product that dramatically changes the user experience and, by allowing consumers to take their chargers anywhere, eliminates ‘range anxiety’ and can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles worldwide.”

“Leveraging the exceptional efficiency of ST SiC Power MOSFETs, ingenious solutions like ZapCharger that can enable drivers to safely charge their vehicles anywhere are set to catalyse the growth of the e-car market and the smart energy ecosystem as a whole,” STMicroelectronics EMEA VP, Marketing & Application Philip Lolies added. “Zaptec’s decision to rely on our advanced power technology confirms ST’s industry leadership and enabling role in the global trend towards greener and smarter living.”