A major advance in the sustainable transport sector has been achieved by experts from the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Thanks to an innovative power converter developed by academics led by Professor Javier Pereda, electric vehicles can now offer greater power and longer range.
This development, supported by the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (Conicyt) through the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (Fondecyt), seeks to optimize the use of clean and high-quality energy in transportation. The key to this innovation lies in a more efficient, cost-effective, and compact power converter compared to conventional models, which allows the delivery of high-quality voltage and reduces costs and complexity in vehicle systems.
Professor Pereda explained that one of the greatest challenges in electric vehicles is energy storage, as current batteries do not offer practical autonomy at reasonable costs. Therefore, the technology developed allows the use of more than one energy backup system, significantly improving the efficiency and lifespan of the batteries.
In addition, the researchers have developed new optimization algorithms for the vehicles’ computer systems, which increase the quality of the energy delivered and, consequently, the power to the motor. This advancement not only benefits the vehicles themselves, but also has potential impact on the mass adoption of these models in the market, on the creation of charging stations, and on the management of energy storage systems.
Javier Pereda emphasized that this small yet significant step positions Chile at the international forefront in renewable energy and sustainable transport technologies. “It shows that in our country there are laboratories and scientific capabilities to contribute to the development of clean and renewable energies,” he said.
This advancement represents a concrete hope for a more sustainable and efficient transportation future, and demonstrates Chile’s commitment to technological innovation and environmental care.