AbstractThis paper deals with the control problem of a single‐phase bidirectional alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) totem‐pole power factor correction (PFC) converter intended to be used in wireless power transfer (WPT) chargers for electric vehicles (EVs). The converter is operating as a bridgeless boost rectifier with the PFC functionality during grid to vehicle (G2V) mode and as a PFC inverter during vehicle to grid (V2G) mode. Firstly, the operating principle is presented. Secondly, an overall mathematical model governing all the operating modes of the converter is elaborated. Thirdly, due to the nonlinearity of the studied system, a nonlinear controller–based Lyapunov technique is designed to achieve the following control objectives: (i) unity power factor (UPF) during both power transfer modes G2V and V2G, (ii) regulation of the DC‐link voltage, and (iii) asymptotic stability of the closed‐loop system. Further, as the developed control law requires the measurement of all voltages and currents, an adaptive observer–based Kalman‐like technique is designed to estimate all the required signals and parameters. The performances of the proposed output feedback control technique are validated through several simulation scenarios showing that all control objectives are achieved. It should be noted that the use of the Kalman observer reduces the complexity of the systems as it requires only two measurements (grid voltage and current) making it an advantageous solution over existing solutions where three measurements are generally used. Furthermore, due to the low‐pass filtering behavior of the observer and its susceptibility to estimate the converter's parameters, the robustness of the controller and its insensitivity to the parameter uncertainties are greatly improved.