Onsemi has announced a landmark supply agreement with Volkswagen (VW) - the world's second-largest automaker - to provide a complete power box solution for its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs).
The announcement builds on the company's recent commitments to invest in the manufacturing expansion of silicon carbide in the Czech Republic and the launch of its latest generation silicon carbide technology platform.
With the signing of a multi-year agreement, Onsemi will become VW's primary supplier of a full power box solution for the company's next-generation traction inverter, which is part of VW's Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). To be compatible with all vehicle types, the system combines silicon carbide-based technologies in an integrated module that can scale across all power levels, from high-power to low-power traction inverters.
Based on the EliteSiC M3e MOSFETs, Onsemi's unique power box solution can handle more power in a smaller package, significantly reducing energy losses. The inclusion of three integrated half-bridge modules mounted on a cooling channel will further improve system efficiency by ensuring heat is effectively managed from the semiconductor to the coolant encasement. This leads to better performance, improved heat control, and increased efficiency, allowing EVs to drive further on a single charge.
By using this integrated solution, VW will be able to easily transition to future EliteSiC-based platforms and remain at the forefront of EV 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 verticalized supply chain from the growth of the raw material up to the assembly of the power box," said Dirk Große-Loheide, a member of the brand board of management of VW responsible for Procurement, in Onsemi's statement.
In the same statement, Till von Bothmer, SVP VW Group Procurement for Powertrain, noted, "On top of the verticalization, Onsemi has furthermore provided a resilient supply concept with regional silicon carbide fabs across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. In addition, Onsemi will continuously provide the latest SiC generation to ensure competitiveness."
VW will also benefit from Onsemi's planned investment to expand its silicon carbide manufacturing in the Czech Republic, according to Onsemi. The investment would establish an end-to-end production facility in Europe for the traction inverter power system. The proximity of Onsemi's facility would fortify VW's supply chain while improving logistics and allowing for faster integration into the manufacturing process.
