Battery charger with unity power factor for electric car

Electric vehicles, in urban usage, could become a solution to the problems of atmospheric pollution and engine noise emission. With the first problem, the electric engine suppresses the need for combustion, hence, any exhaust fumes. With regard to the second problem, friction, ventilation and magnetic noise, on equal engine power, are below those of an internal combustion engine. In addition, the electric engine can be completely switched off during the pauses of the vehicle, due to roadsigns and traffic jams. Even though electric cars are destined for urban usage, the problem of their range is important, to be of any real flexible use. At the present time, standard electric batteries have a very limited storage capacity; that is why they need efficient chargers, allowing charging periods to be as brief as possible. An example of such a battery charger is presented by the authors