An Independent Validation and Analysis of a HighEfficiency Bidirectional DC Converter for Electric Vehicle Applications

Abstract

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles has led to an increased demand for high-efficiency, flexible bidirectional power conversion systems capable of providing two-way energy flow. This work presents an independent MATLAB/Simulink implementation and performance analysis of a high-efficiency bidirectional DC-DC converter for electric vehicle applications. The study investigates the converter’s characteristics, including voltage conversion capability, semiconductor utilization factor, voltage stress on the switches, switching behavior, and efficiency under bidirectional operating conditions. A conventional PI-based closed-loop control is employed to ensure stable converter operation in both buck and boost modes. The performance of the converter is analysed through MATLAB/Simulink simulations in buck and boost modes to evaluate its response during vehicle charging and discharging operations. A 400 W system with a conversion range of 48 V to 200 V is modelled and simulated to examine its performance under key operating parameters such as power transfer capability, switching behaviour and efficiency. The results validate stable operation under varying operating conditions while achieving peak efficiency of 97.3% in buck mode and 96.9% in boost mode. The obtained results independently validate the performance characteristics of the investigated topology and provide insight into its suitability for use in electric vehicle and energy storage applications, where efficient energy exchange and reliable operation are essential.