Design, Modeling, and Control of a Ćuk based DC-DC Converter for Hybrid Vehicle Applications

DC-DC converters are vital in hybrid and electric vehicles, enabling efficient energy transfer and stable power management across batteries, auxiliary loads, and traction systems.Traditional Ćuk converters typically require high-voltage coupling capacitors, which increase size, cost, and reduce suitability for automotive use.This study presents a modified Ćuk-based DC-DC converter that reconfigures the conventional topology to utilize a lower-voltage coupling capacitor without changing the basic components.The design is analysed through state-space modelling, transfer function derivation, and integration of a control system to enhance dynamic response and stability.Simulation results obtained in MATLAB/Simulink under various duty cycles show significant improvements over the traditional Ćuk converter, including a 96.9% reduction in coupling capacitor voltage during steady-state operation and a 79.2% reduction in overshoot.These findings confirm the practicality, compactness, and efficiency of the proposed converter, making it a promising solution for reliable power management in hybrid and electric vehicles.