Revolutionary TI Design Integrates WiFi into EV Charging Systems

Texas Instruments has rolled out a new design that brings wifi connectivity to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. With this feature, EV owners can control and monitor their charging process remotely from nearly any location with wifi. This opens up various possibilities, like integrating with home automation systems or checking for nearby public charging spots.

The surge in new electric vehicles is driven by advances in battery technology and supportive government policies. Despite this growth, there’s still a need for more charging stations to make it easier for EV drivers. Texas Instruments’ design leverages their SimpleLink wifi wireless microcontroller technology, enabling engineers to create smarter charging stations. These stations can charge during non-peak times or notify drivers when a station is available.

One of the main challenges with EV charging is the time it takes. This new design supports both level one charging, which uses regular household outlets, and level two charging, which provides higher current (15 to 30A or more) connections available in places like commercial office buildings. Level two charging typically takes up to eight hours to fully charge a vehicle, making it convenient for those who want to charge while at work.

Later this year, Texas Instruments plans to launch a level three EV direct-current charger design. This advanced charger will be scalable up to 600V and 400A, reducing charging time to just 20 to 30 minutes. This means you could stop at a wifi-enabled restaurant with a charge station and power up your car during lunch.