In a bid to enhance the performance and affordability of electric vehicles (EVs), Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP and German supplier ZF have joined forces to develop silicon carbide (SiC)-based inverters. This collaboration aims to bolster the capabilities of 800-volt EVs, enabling them to travel further distances on a single charge.
NXP recently announced the integration of its GD316x high-voltage electronic circuits into ZF’s upcoming SiC traction inverters for 800-volt applications. This partnership is expected to expedite the deployment of these advanced inverters, which promise safer, more efficient, and more potent power electronics for electric vehicles. Drivers can anticipate increased range, leading to fewer charging stops, while original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) stand to benefit from reduced manufacturing costs at the system level.
Dr. Carsten Götte, Senior Vice President of Electrified Powertrain Technology at ZF, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “We look forward to working with NXP to raise the bar for the capabilities and performance of our 800-V traction inverter solutions, which will help us achieve our goals of reducing emissions and promoting sustainability.”
Traction inverters play a pivotal role in the electric drivetrain by converting the DC voltage from the battery into AC voltage to drive the vehicle’s engine. With the transition to SiC-based designs, the need for HV-insulated gate drivers has become crucial to leverage benefits such as higher switching frequency, lower conduction losses, better thermal characteristics, and higher robustness at high voltages compared to previous-generation silicon-based IGBT and MOSFET power switches.
Robert Li, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Electrification at NXP, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating, “Together with ZF, we are developing next-generation power electronics for future EVs. Our gate driver family implements a number of outstanding features to both protect and unleash the benefits of high-voltage SiC power switches, making them an ideal choice for ZF’s new SiC-based traction inverter solutions.”