Extending the lifetime of electric vehicles’ electronic components
Electronic components and systems (ECSs) found in today’s conventional cars last around 8 000 operating hours. However, a much longer lifespan is needed for electric vehicles that currently require several hours of charging. The ARCHIMEDES(opens in new window) project is working on extending the lifetime of ECSs and building trust in new technologies in order to help speed up the energy transition in transportation and other industries. To see how necessary longer-lasting ECSs are, you just have to look at the facts. Assuming a 4-hour charging cycle per day, electric vehicles’ electronics would need to last for 32 000 hours. Now, if these vehicles also become part of the infrastructure, for example, to help stabilise the power grid, ECS operation could increase to 15 or even more hours a day, resulting in an expected lifetime of up to 120 000 hours. “The challenge here is the testing and qualification time,” explains Katrin Al Jezany of Austrian mobility technology company AVL List that is coordinating the project. “Currently, it takes 2 to 3 years to test for 8 000 hours of lifetime. Extending this to 120 000 hours would mean testing for 45 years, which is not feasible.”
Not only consumers
ARCHIMEDES is working on advancing technologies that boost resource efficiency and prolong the life of essential systems. Its goal is to integrate electric vehicles into multiple ecosystems, including mobility, infrastructure and energy. Since electric vehicles do not only consume energy but can also store it and feed it back into the grid, they have the ability to act as both consumers and energy sources, contributing to power grid stability. This dual role influences how these interconnected systems are designed and operated. Since its launch in May 2023, the project has made significant progress, particularly regarding its potential impact on future industry standards. The team is currently focused on gaining better insight into failure mechanisms and the reliability of wide-bandgap semiconductors and supply chain elements. They have conducted different tests and simulations, with a focus on generating quality data for the simulations and digital twins being developed. “This is key to extending the expected lifetime of modules and systems through modelling rather than relying solely on physical testing,” remarks Al Jezany. “It is crucial that the assumptions in the models are accurate, input data is of high quality, and the integration of different modelling approaches includes validation steps to ensure reliable outcomes.” ARCHIMEDES (Trusted lifetime in operation for a circular economy) will ultimately tackle high energy costs by integrating and making smart use of renewable energies, improving the efficiency of installed power systems and enhancing charging efficiency. Through these efforts, it will help build a greener, more secure and more energy-independent future for all. If you are interested in having your project featured as a ‘Project of the Month’ in an upcoming issue, please send us an email to editorial@cordis.europa.eu and tell us why!
Keywords
ARCHIMEDES, circular economy, electric vehicle, charging, electronic, electronic components and systems