A European Union-funded initiative is advancing the development of a next-generation 1,200-volt electric powertrain, aiming to improve performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability in electric vehicles. The ‘nExt geNeration 1200V eLectric hIGH volTage powErtraiN’ (ENLIGHTEN) project, which will run until 2028, seeks to integrate and test a powertrain that maintains compatibility with existing charging infrastructure, researchers said.
The project introduces a dual-voltage battery system capable of adjusting dynamically while driving, alongside gallium nitride (GaN)-based DC/DC converters and an integrated motor-inverter powertrain. “Our work on a 1200-volt powertrain will reduce energy losses and ensure higher power delivery for demanding applications,” said Shane Malo, specialist engineer at Eaton Research Labs, one of the project partners. “We’re also considering the wider impact on manufacturers, suppliers, and charging infrastructure to create a solution that’s both cost-effective and commercially viable.”
The research and development phase will confirm powertrain specifications by 2025, followed by assembly and testing in 2026. The final two years will focus on integrating the system into a C-segment vehicle for validation. The consortium, led by the Austrian Institute of Technology, includes nine project partners and two associate partners, such as Manifattura Automobili Torino, Lead Tech, Cambridge GaN Devices, and several academic institutions.
“Collaborating with so many leading partners offers fantastic learning opportunities for our team,” said Joergen von Bodenhausen, senior manager of government programs at Eaton. “As the transition to electric vehicles accelerates, this project will position Eaton at the forefront of powertrain innovation.”