POWER electronics plays a critical role in modern automotive systems. Hybrid electric vehicles have already been introduced into markets. Research and development in fuel cell and alternative fuel vehicles are gaining tremendous momentum as well. This paradigm shift from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric and hybrid electric power trains will have a profound impact on the field of power electronics. Even in conventional vehicles, there is an increasing need to replace mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic loads by electrically driven systems for reduced fuel consumption and emissions as well as higher performance and reliability. In addition, the need for improvement in comfort, convenience, entertainment, safety, communications, maintainability, supportability, survivability, and operating costs necessitates more electric automotive systems. For example, throttle actuation, power steering, anti-lock braking, rear-wheel steering, air-conditioning, ride-height adjustment, active suspension, and electrically heated catalyst all benefit from the electrical power system. Therefore, electrical systems with larger capacities and more complex configurations are required to facilitate increasing electrical demands in advanced cars. In these systems, most of the loads as well as generation and distribution systems are in the form of power electronic converters and electric motor drives. While automotive applications have the potential to become one of the largest market segments of power electronics, many technical challenges remain. Advances in critical areas such as converter modules, control strategies, and designs in the context of the automotive applications are needed to address the cost and reliability issues.