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BorgWarner Deploys STMicroelectronics Silicon-Carbide Technology for Volvo EVsBorgWarner Deploys STMicroelectronics Silicon-Carbide Technology for Volvo EVs

BorgWarner’s Viper EV power module will use silicon carbide power semiconductors from STMicroelectronics for future Volvos.

Dan Carney, Senior Editor

September 19, 2023

2 Min Read
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Future Volvo EVs will charge faster thanks to the use of silicon carbide power electronics.BorgWarner

Volvo’s next-generation EVs will rely on silicon carbide (SiC) power modules from BorgWarner to boost their efficiency and charging speed. The BorgWarner Viper power modules will incorporate third-generation 750-volt silicon carbide power MOSFETs from STMicroelectronics.

“This collaboration will give Volvo Cars the opportunity to further increase the attractiveness of our electrical vehicles with longer range and faster charging,” explained Javier Varela, Chief Operating Officer & Deputy CEO, Volvo Cars. “It will also support us on our journey towards being fully electric by 2030 and strengthen our increased vertical integration and our control of critical components.”

BorgWarner Solidifies Silicon Carbide Supply with Investment

Substituting silicon carbide for silicon semiconductors in EV power electronics is worth a 3.5 percent increase in driving range, Rivian Senior Director for Electric Power Conversion, Silva Hiti, told Design News during an August visit to that company.

BorgWarner says its engineers collaborated closely with ST’s technical team to match their die with BorgWarner’s Viper power switch to maximize inverter performance, minimize size, and reduce cost. Partnering also helps BorgWarner and STMicroelectronics deliver the production volume Volvo expects to need.

“Our collaboration with BorgWarner, a leading global automotive supplier in electrification, will enable Volvo Cars to offer their customers superior vehicle performance and range,” said Marco Monti, STMicroelectronics president of the Automotive and Discrete Group. “We are committed to expanding SiC capacity and to reinforcing our SiC supply, including through vertical integration, as we ramp up volumes to support our global automotive and industrial customers in their shift to electrification and higher efficiency.”

ST is making the STPOWER SiC products in its fabs in Italy, and Singapore, with advanced packaging and testing at its back-end facilities in Morocco and China.

 

About the Author

Dan Carney

Senior Editor, Design News

Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.

A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.

Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.

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He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.

He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.

He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.

He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.

Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.

He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers

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