At Benzinga’s AutoRevolution: The Future of Mobility and EVs virtual event, Ideal Power CEO Dan Brdar unveiled the company’s groundbreaking B-TRAN semiconductor switch, a technology poised to revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) efficiency.
B-TRAN, a dual-polarity power switch, is designed to improve energy efficiency by making EV power systems operate more smoothly and cost-effectively. This innovative switch tackles some of the most pressing challenges faced by automakers in the EV industry: reducing costs, extending driving range, and speeding up charging times.
“They’re interested in using our technology as part of an EV contactor,” Brdar explained. “The contactor provides a safety feature if the battery is in an upset condition. It protects the battery and protects the car itself.”
Ideal Power’s technology offers a valuable solution in a rapidly evolving industry where EV manufacturers are constantly striving for performance improvements. “Semiconductors play a big role in all three things — bringing the cost down, improving range, and making it possible to charge faster,” Brdar emphasized.
The goal of B-TRAN is to make EVs more affordable while simultaneously enhancing their range and charging speed, directly addressing concerns held by consumers today.
While EVs have gained significant popularity, there are still hurdles to overcome, namely cost, battery life, and charging infrastructure. Brdar acknowledged these challenges: “The automakers are struggling to figure out how to solve some of the problems because the EVs are a new platform for all of them. So they need to do things like bring the cost down, improve the range of the electric vehicle so they get more miles out of the batteries, and be able to charge them faster.”
Ideal Power’s B-TRAN technology directly targets these pain points. “B-TRAN improves efficiency,” Brdar said, summarizing the technology’s impact. This improvement leads to a longer range and faster charging, crucial factors for consumers and manufacturers as they seek to make EVs more practical for everyday use.
With its ability to handle energy more effectively, B-TRAN has the potential to reshape the way automakers design and build their electric vehicles.
While AutoRevolution focused on EVs, Ideal Power’s technology has applications far beyond just transportation. Brdar explained how B-TRAN could improve the electrical grid and other energy systems. “We’re really the first power semiconductor device whose conduction losses are so low that you can make sense using a solid-state circuit breaker versus an electromechanical device,” he said. This advancement could significantly impact energy storage and grid management, further demonstrating the broad potential of B-TRAN.
Ideal Power is already working with multiple automakers to integrate B-TRAN technology. As Brdar pointed out, “The automakers are struggling to figure out how to solve some of the problems because the EVs are a new platform for all of them.” However, B-TRAN is offering a path forward, providing a solution that addresses many of the existing issues in the EV market.
