Betterfrost: Putting on the heat
Betterfrost uses a 48V module for pulsed, conductive glass heating, clearing ice in under 80 seconds while cutting start-up defrost energy by 95%
More power in less space
One of the central challenges facing the automotive industry is the need for more power in less space. EVs employ over 50kW of electrical power, compared to less than 3kW in an ICE vehicle. The nearly 20x increase in power requires compact power solutions to free up space and weight. Reducing the size and weight of the power delivery network are essential factors. For example, 2.5kW of power from the Vicor BCM6135 can be held in the palm of your hand and weighs only 65 grams.
The modular approach to power
High performance power modules
Using miniaturized power modules with up to 5x the density, the modular approach uses less real estate, leaving more room for functionality. High efficiency modules require much simpler thermal management and allow for flexible and scalable designs that are simpler and quicker to design and update.
Effective power delivery network
Unlike complex discrete solutions and inflexible “silver box” power systems, power delivery networks using power modules is quick and easy to design and implement. Accommodating new loads — or changes in power needs in a design — is easily accomplished by replacing or adding modules.
Resources
Resources for the design engineer
Betterfrost harnesses 48V in EVs for record-setting windshield defrosting and to extend winter range
Betterfrost’s 48V power control module uses conductive pulsed heating to defrost EV glass in under 60 seconds, saving energy and preserving winter range
INFAC bolsters EV range by packing more power into the battery pack
INFAC integrates the DC-DC converter into EV battery pack to leverage cooling system and save space. 48V power dense modules help downsize cable and connectors to boost range.
Automotive Innovation Day 2026
Vicor presented innovative benefits of using compact, power dense DC-DC conversion