onsemi has announced a multi-year agreement with the Volkswagen Group to become the primary supplier of an advanced power system solution for VW's next-generation electric vehicles. This collaboration focuses on providing a fully optimised power box solution, featuring onsemi’s latest EliteSiC M3e platform, to enhance the efficiency and performance of VW’s traction inverters across various vehicle categories.
The new agreement entails onsemi delivering a comprehensive stack of silicon carbide technologies as part of an integrated module solution. This technology is designed to be scalable across all power levels, from high to low, ensuring compatibility with all types of electric vehicles in Volkswagen's lineup. This strategic move is aimed at maximising efficiency and reducing costs while offering a modular platform that simplifies the power system across different vehicle models.
“By offering a complete power system solution that encompasses the entire power sub-assembly, we provide Volkswagen Group with a single, simplified modular and scalable platform that maximises efficiency and performance for their vehicle lineup,' stated Hassane El-Khoury, President and CEO of onsemi. 'This new approach allows for the customisation of power needs and the addition of features for different vehicles without compromising on performance, all while reducing cost.”
onsemi’s EliteSiC M3e MOSFET components can handle more power within a smaller package, significantly reducing energy losses. The solution also includes three integrated half-bridge modules mounted on a cooling channel, ensuring efficient heat management from the semiconductor to the coolant encasement. This innovative design results in better performance, improved heat control, and increased efficiency, allowing electric vehicles to travel further on a single charge. Volkswagen Group will also be able to seamlessly transition to future EliteSiC-based platforms, maintaining its leading position in electric vehicle innovation.
“We are very pleased to have onsemi as a strategic supplier for the power box of the traction inverter for our first tranche in the SSP platform. onsemi has convinced us with a deeply vertical supply chain from the growth of the raw material up to the assembly of the power box,” said Dirk Große-Loheide, Member of the Extended Executive Committee Group Procurement and Member of the Board Volkswagen Brand for Procurement.
Till von Bothmer, Senior Vice President VW Group Procurement for Powertrain, highlighted the resilience of onsemi’s supply concept, which includes silicon carbide fabs across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. He noted that this regional spread ensures a steady supply of the latest silicon carbide generation, keeping Volkswagen competitive.
In addition to this collaboration, onsemi plans to expand its silicon carbide manufacturing in the Czech Republic. This investment aims to establish a complete production facility in Europe for the traction inverter power system, strengthening Volkswagen Group’s supply chain and improving logistics. The proximity of onsemi's facility will enable faster integration into Volkswagen's manufacturing process, further solidifying the partnership’s benefits.
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