On September 11, 2019, Delphi Technology became the first company in the industry to achieve mass production of 800 V silicon carbide (SiC) inverters, which is one of the core components of the next generation of efficient electric and hybrid vehicles. The new inverter can power electrical systems with voltages up to 800 volts. Compared to today's most advanced 400 volt systems, it can significantly extend the range of electric vehicles (EVs) and cut charging times in half.
This technology supports multi-voltage platforms, which brings together the company's 25 years of experience in the field of automotive electrification, and is also the latest upgrade of the company's tried and tested high-voltage inverter products. Delphi Technology's 800-volt inverter uses advanced silicon carbide MOSFET semiconductors (Silicon Carbide-based Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor Wide-Gap Bandwidth Technology). With the mass production of this technology, the company recently reached a landmark eight-year, $ 2.7 billion project with a leading global OEM. The project is expected to begin in 2022 and will initially launch high-performance electric vehicles operating at 800 volts.
A few days ago, the company announced a partnership with Cree, a leader in silicon carbide semiconductors, to jointly develop next-generation electric vehicles that can travel longer distances, charge faster, and be more efficient. Delphi's inverters will use Wolfspeed silicon carbide MOSFET semiconductors manufactured by Cree.
IHS estimates that by 2025, 45% of vehicles produced worldwide will be electrified, with about 46 million electrified vehicles sold each year, and this number will increase by 57% by 2030 (about 62 million per year). The inverter is one of the most valuable electrified components, and its efficiency has a disruptive effect on many aspects of automotive performance.
"Double the 400 volts that are common today will bring many benefits to car owners and car manufacturers," explains Richard F. Dauch, CEO of Delphi Technology. "We developed this technology to enable automakers to simplify their multi-voltage strategies by extending the range of electric and hybrid vehicles."
At the heart of Delphi's new inverter is its patented Viper power switch, which is highly integrated with unique dual-sided cooling technology. These important features allow the company to develop inverters that are 40% lighter and 30% smaller than competitors' products.
The company's latest improvement to Viper power switches is the replacement of traditional silicon materials with silicon carbide, a wide bandgap semiconductor that allows very fast switching and can be used at higher temperatures. "Just switching quickly allows vehicles to use faster, smaller, and lighter motors for higher efficiency and longer mileage," Dauch said. "And this is just one of the many benefits of raising the voltage to 800 volts."
After using the 800-volt silicon carbide inverter provided by Delphi Technology, automotive engineers can free up their hands to optimize other power systems, such as increasing mileage, reducing battery size, ultra-fast charging, and making cables smaller. , Lighter, more economical, or improve the recovery of vehicle kinetic energy during braking, thereby further extending the driving distance.
As with existing silicon switches, the new SiC Viper power switches can be used with the same inverter components, reducing engineering costs associated with technological change and simplifying the design of multi-vehicle platforms. Delphi's integrated DC / DC converters and inverters can help automakers achieve significant cost savings. Delphi Technology knows how to design and manufacture electronic products that meet the requirements of automotive applications.