Israeli semiconductor manufacturer VisIC Technologies and Austrian technology company AVL have announced a collaboration to develop advanced gallium nitride (GaN) inverters for electric vehicles (EVs). The new technology aims to surpass current silicon carbide (SiC)-based inverters in both performance and cost-effectiveness, offering improved energy efficiency, smaller form factors, and higher power density, which can ultimately reduce production costs for automotive manufacturers.
The GaN-based power semiconductors, developed by VisIC Technologies, are designed to deliver superior performance over traditional silicon and silicon carbide alternatives. According to the partners, GaN inverters provide higher efficiency, reduced sizes, and better energy savings, particularly when operating at higher switching frequencies. These benefits make GaN technology particularly suitable for EV applications, where efficiency and compactness are crucial for optimizing vehicle performance and reducing weight. AVL has tested VisICâs core product, the “GaN-on-Silicon DÂłGaN” module, on its e-motor test bench and achieved an efficiency level of 99.67% at a 10 kHz switching frequency, further increasing to over 99.8% at 5 kHz. This represents a notable improvement over SiC-based inverters, with energy losses reduced by more than 60%.
Beyond the technical advantages, GaN technology also offers ecological benefits. AVL has highlighted that GaN-on-silicon power semiconductors require significantly less energy during manufacturing compared to SiC products. The ability to produce these semiconductors in standard 200 mm and 300 mm silicon wafer factories further contributes to cost savings and scalability. As a result, VisIC and AVL are positioning GaN as a next-generation solution that not only enhances the efficiency of electric vehicles but also contributes to more sustainable production processes.
Gregory Bunin, Chief Technology Officer of VisIC Technologies, emphasized the potential of their collaboration with AVL to revolutionize the EV market: “With AVL, weâre making cutting-edge GaN inverter technology accessible for even more electric vehicles, establishing a new benchmark for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the industry.” Dr. Thomas Frey, Head of Segment E-Mobility & E-Drive System at AVL Software and Functions GmbH, added that the partnership would enable the companies to offer high-power solutions that meet the demands of next-generation drive systems, combining high power density with reduced system costs. Both companies are also working on expanding their portfolio to include 800-volt power modules, ensuring that GaN technology can meet the evolving needs of the electric vehicle sector and remain scalable for future developments.
This collaboration underscores the growing importance of GaN in the shift toward more efficient and sustainable electric mobility solutions, setting the stage for further advancements in e-mobility technology.
