Comparison of Full-Bridge and T-type DC/DC Converters for Electric Vehicle Applications

As the automotive industry is developing rapidly, electric vehicles (EVs) have become a popular idea for green transportation due to their zero tailpipe emissions. One of the key parts on the EV board is the isolated step-down DC/DC converter, essential for transferring power efficiently between the high-voltage battery and the low-voltage side while ensuring battery protection. This paper analyzes and compares the phase-shifted full-bridge (PSFB) and the T-type converters in terms of voltage and current stresses, losses, power density, and cost. Simulation and computational results indicate that the T-type converter with silicon-based middle switches achieves higher efficiency at lower power levels and is more cost-effective compared with the PSFB converter. Therefore, the T-type converter is a more efficient choice for powering the low-voltage side which requires lower power input in most cases.