# Mercedes-Benz develops EV architecture with 3 kW converters to hold 800 V as the battery discharges - Published: 2026-11-05 17:05 UTC - Section: Power & Energy › Cars - Tags: Mercedes-Benz 800 V architecture, 3 kW power converters, traction inverter efficiency, weak battery cells, onboard charger removal, bidirectional charging, over-the-air update, EV battery management - URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-529f9315b66b73abbdba3de6_mercedes_benz_develops/ **Mercedes-Benz is developing an EV architecture in which small power converters keep the inverter supply at 800 V and offload weaker cells. The design is still at the development stage.** ![Mercedes-Benz develops EV architecture with 3 kW converters to hold 800 V as the battery discharges](https://sgzwpqqelzmajkcubgkl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rt-media/2026/11/b7abce4b7c8ef3e5.webp) *Interesting Engineering* Mercedes-Benz is developing an electric vehicle architecture that keeps the traction inverter supplied with 800 volts while the battery discharges, according to Interesting Engineering. The system uses small power converters that manage individual cells or groups of cells. [1] The design is under development; the material names no production date or vehicle. In a conventional EV, cells connected in series set the pack voltage, which falls as the battery discharges. Weaker or aging cells can also limit the performance of the whole pack. [1] ## Converters instead of a fixed series pack Mercedes distributes power conversion across multiple devices, each able to deliver up to 3 kilowatts. The company calls them Power Converters. They are connected in parallel and coordinate how energy moves from individual cells or cell groups to the high-voltage system. [1] The control system can reduce the load on weaker cells while the converters maintain a stable direct-current supply. At the same time, they regulate the voltage delivered to the inverter as the pack discharges. [1] The traction inverter converts direct current into alternating current for the electric motor. With a steady 800-volt input, Mercedes could optimize the inverter for a fixed voltage and improve its efficiency. A common input voltage could also make it easier to use the same powertrain components across different drivetrain designs. [1] ## Charging and service questions The converters could also take over the conversion normally done by a separate onboard charger, which turns alternating current from an AC charging point into direct current for the battery. Removing that unit could free up space, cut weight and lower production costs. [1] The architecture can integrate AC, DC and bidirectional charging functions into the converter hardware. With the electronics already installed, software could govern features such as maximum charging power or enable the vehicle to send electricity back through a compatible charging setup. Such features could be activated through over-the-air updates; bidirectional charging, for example, could be enabled later on vehicles with the supporting hardware. [1] The design also raises a service question. More power electronics at the battery means technicians could face a more complex assembly when a fault occurs. How much repair work that would involve remains unclear, and the production impact would depend partly on how Mercedes packages the converters and makes them accessible for service. [1] ## Sources 1. [Interesting Engineering](https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/mercedes-targets-steady-800-volt-flow) --- Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-529f9315b66b73abbdba3de6_mercedes_benz_develops/