GKN Automotive, a leading global supplier of electric drive, all-wheel drive and driveline technology and systems, and Delta Electronics Inc., a world-class provider of power and thermal management solutions, will collaborate on the joint development of next-generation integrated 3-in-1 (inverter, motor and transmission fully integrated) eDrive systems of power classes... Read more →

ZF has developed a new hybrid driveline for the Dakar off-road race. ZF, in cooperation with MKR Technology, has fitted the Riwald Dakar team’s Renault C640 with this new driveline developed especially for this objective. The core of this driveline is a special prototype of ZF’s central electric axle drive,... Read more →

China-based Weichai Power Co., Ltd. has acquired Germany-based electric powertrain component manufacturer ARADEX AG as another component of its global strategy in the new energy power systems industry following its strategic investment in Ballard Power and Ceres Power. Weichai Power, a provider of traditional powertrains for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, is... Read more →

ON Semiconductor has released the first two devices from its new VE-Trac family of power modules for high voltage automotive traction inverters. These two power integrated module (PIM) devices bring best-in-class electrical and thermal performance while providing scalability and automotive reliability to the rapidly growing market for traction inverters. Future... Read more →

In the future, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Untertürkheim will manufacture and assemble parts of electric powertrains (eATS). The eATS consists essentially of three subsystems: an electric motor, its power electronics and the transmission. The power-transmission wheelset and other components such as the electrohydraulic control system will also be manufactured in... Read more →

GKN Automotive launched the next phase in its electrification strategy. The leading supplier of all-wheel drive and electric driveline technology and systems is standardizing a range of intelligent highly integrated “3-in-1” P4 electric drive systems for pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, in a move to decrease cost and increase... Read more →

Cree, Inc. and ABB’s Power Grids business are partnering to expand the rollout of silicon carbide in the rapidly-growing high-power semiconductor market. The agreement incorporates the use of Cree’s Wolfspeed silicon carbide-based semiconductors into ABB’s comprehensive product portfolio, enabling Cree to broaden its customer base while accelerating ABB’s entry into... Read more →

SERES, a subsidiary of Chongqing Sokon Industrial Group Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen BYD Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (BYD Microelectronics) have entered a strategic partnership to develop next-generation power electronics. BYD Microelectronics operates China’s most comprehensive value chain of automotive-grade IGBTs, producing IGBT modules and wafers, SiC modules and wafers, automotive current... Read more →

ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Danfoss Silicon Power GmbH have extended their existing cooperation with a new strategic partnership for silicon- and silicon-carbide power modules. The partners plan to improve the efficiency of electric drivelines by leveraging engineering and cost benefits at the interface between power modules and inverters. The partnership... Read more →

ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Cree, Inc., a US-based leader in silicon carbide semiconductors, announced a strategic partnership to create industry-leading, highly efficient electric drivelines using silicon-carbide-based inverters. With this strategic partnership, ZF and Cree are intensifying their existing cooperation. We’re delighted that we’re building on our cooperation with Cree using... Read more →

BorgWarner announced a partnership with one of China’s leading New Energy Vehicle (NEV) brands to supply the fully integrated drive module (iDM) for an all-electric vehicle. This partnership represents BorgWarner’s first iDM project in China. BorgWarner’s electric vehicle system solution integrates highly efficient power electronics with an advanced transmission system... Read more →

Eaton’s eMobility business has introduced a new Flex Power Distribution Unit (PDU) for high-voltage electrified commercial vehicles; the new unit is uniquely designed to handle multiple load requirements. Eaton has reached an agreement with Cummins Inc. to supply elements of the Flex PDU, which reliably distributes power and keeps the... Read more →

Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. has started mass production for its 800V compatible high-voltage and high-output electric vehicle (EV) inverter, which increases EV practicality and enables long-distance driving. The product contributes to both comfortable acceleration performance of the vehicle and faster charging times. For this inverter, the mounting technology of the... Read more →

Swindon Powertrain is developing a new compact 80kW “crate” electric powertrain that will make it easier for specialist OEMs to electrify their low volume sports cars, light commercial and recreational vehicles. Swindon Powertrain’s High Power Density (HPD) EV system will ease the transition for manufacturers currently frustrated by the lack... Read more →

Vitesco Technologies, the drivetrain business of Continental, has signed agreements with Groupe PSA and Hyundai to supply the first fully integrated electric axle drive system for various volume-production models. Production of the new electric drive system at Vitesco Technologies plant in Tianjin, China, has already started. First fully integrated electric... Read more →

Dana Incorporated and Valeo announced a global collaboration to develop and to supply 48-volt electric-vehicle systems for new-mobility applications, including low-speed electric and hybrid e-AWD vehicles. The first system is scheduled to launch in early 2020 with a major European automaker on series-produced cars. The joint development will provide customers... Read more →

With immediate effect, ZF Friedrichshafen AG is the new “Official Powertrain Partner” of Mahindra Racing, one of the founding teams in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Together with Mahindra Racing, ZF has already started development of the electric driveline for the 2020/2021 season. The first test bench tests and... Read more →

Loop Energy, a provider of fuel cell range extenders for medium- and heavy-duty motive applications, has established a joint venture and non-exclusive license agreement with IN-Power, a leading power electronics supplier to the transport sector in China. Under the terms of the Agreement, the two companies will collaborate to produce... Read more →

Ricardo will present the early results of an R&D project to develop a scalable Electric Drive Unit (EDU) for future electric vehicles at the CTI’s 8th International Congress and Expo, to be hosted on 24-25 September 2019, in Shanghai, China. The scalable EDU being developed by Ricardo comprises a high-performance... Read more →

Delphi Technologies is the first in the industry with volume production of an 800-volt silicon carbide (SiC) inverter—a key component of highly efficient next-generation electric and hybrid vehicles. The new inverter enables electrical systems up to 800 volts, significantly extending electric vehicle (EV) range and halving charging times when compared... Read more →

Delphi Technologies PLC, a global provider of automotive propulsion technologies, and Cree, Inc., a leader in silicon carbide semiconductors, are partnering to utilize silicon carbide semiconductor device technology to enable faster, smaller, lighter and more powerful electronic systems for future electric vehicles (EV). Cree’s silicon carbide-based MOSFET (metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor)... Read more →

Silicon Mobility and AVL Software and Functions GmbH will collaborate to increase the energy efficiency of electric and hybrid vehicles. Silicon Mobility offers a complete solution that includes the hardware, software, development platform, and a suite of application specific software modules for a wide range of hybrid and electric vehicle... Read more →

Porsche’s first all-electric sports car, the Taycan, made its world premiere at three simultaneous events in Canada, China and Germany. The most important sales markets of the new electric sports car are on these three continents. The event locations also symbolized three forms of sustainable energy: the Niagara Falls at... Read more →

Prodrive has created the first 48V to 12V DC-DC converter targeted at the ISO/DIS 21780 standard for 48V automotive systems. The unit will be launched at this year’s LCV (Low Carbon Vehicle) Show, which takes place at Millbrook, UK, 4-5 September. With the projected growth in 48V systems (predicted to... Read more →

Power management company Eaton is partnering with global technology company KPIT to support the development of next-generation electrified mobility technologies for Eaton’s eMobility business unit (earlier post). Eaton’s collaboration with KPIT initially will focus on developing and deploying technologies, software solutions and platforms for several components, including inverters, on-board chargers,... Read more →

GKN Automotive, Drive System Design and the University of Nottingham are collaborating on an £8-million (US$10 million) project to design and develop a world-leading electric vehicle powertrain for the global market. ACeDrive (Advanced Cooling and Control of High Speed e-Drive) is backed by match-funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).... Read more →

Essex Magnet Wire is introducing a new, high-temperature rated insulation system for the windings of traction motors utilized in hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, as well as electric vehicles: EnduroTemp 260+. EnduroTemp 260+ is a thin film insulation that will extend the life of traction motors in critical... Read more →

BorgWarner introduced its Onboard Battery Charger (OBC), adding to the company’s impressive portfolio of technologies for plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles. This technology uses silicon carbide technology and is best-in-class for power density, power conversion efficiency and safety compliance, the company says. The OBC is installed in hybrid or electric... Read more →

Cree, Inc., a leader in silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors, has been selected as the exclusive silicon carbide partner for the Volkswagen Group’s “Future Automotive Supply Tracks” Initiative (FAST). The aim of FAST is to work together to implement technical innovations quicker than before and to realize global vehicle projects even... Read more →

France-based Silicon Mobility announced the availability of OLEA APP INVERTER HE—a high efficiency inverter and electric motor control application. The new inverter is optimized for the OLEA FPCU (Field Programmable Control Unit) which increases the range of hybrid and electric vehicles up to 20% with the same battery capacity. The... Read more →

A team of Fraunhofer researchers has significantly enhanced the functionality of GaN power ICs for voltage converters: the researchers at Fraunhofer IAF integrated current and temperature sensors onto a GaN-based semiconductor chip, along with power transistors, freewheeling diodes and gate drivers. This development paves the way for more compact and... Read more →

Dana Incorporated introduced its enhanced TM4 MOTIVE motor and inverter for the light-vehicle market at AutoShanghai. The new TM4 MOTIVE motor and inverter from Dana from an integrated system featuring high-RPM permanent magnet electric motors, power-dense electronic inverters, and advanced controls. The system is designed for seamless integration into Dana’s... Read more →

Power management company Eaton’s eMobility business was chosen by Nidec-PSA Emotors (Emotors), a joint venture between Nidec Leroy-Somer and Groupe PSA, to supply high-performance traction inverters for a battery-electric vehicle platform. Eaton will provide its power-dense inverters to Emotors, which will integrate it with the motor and ship the finished... Read more →

Toyota announced that it will grant royalty-free licenses on nearly 24,000 patents it holds (including some pending applications) for vehicle electrification-related technologies. Also, Toyota will provide fee-based technical support to other manufacturers developing and selling electrified vehicles when they use Toyota’s motors, batteries, PCUs, control ECUs, and other vehicle electrification... Read more →

YASA, the leading manufacturer of axial-flux electric motors, announced availability of the first in a new series of motor controllers (inverters) for propulsion and generation applications in pure electric and hybrid vehicles. The new Si400 controller delivers 200kVA (400V and 500 Arms) from a 5-liter package weighing just 5.75 kg.... Read more →

ZF and Venturi teamed up in a technology partnership for the FIA Formula E in 2016. For the current, fifth season of the championship, ZF developed an electric drive for the Venturi team, including an electric motor, a newly developed transmission and power electronics. 250 kW electric drive system During... Read more →

A team from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has shown by modeling that the wafer cost of an emerging Ga2O3 wide bandgap semiconductor can be more than 3-times lower compared to SiC. This lower cost of the Ga2O3 wafers should lead to less-expensive high-performance power electronic devices in the... Read more →

BorgWarner is introducing a fully integrated e-axle—iDM—that packages a transmission, electric motor featuring BorgWarner’s efficient bar-wound stator solution and specially developed power electronics. The company already has the iDM’s forerunner—the electric drive module (eDM)— in serial production. The iDM product family is available in three different versions (iDM XS, iDM... Read more →

Eaton’s eMobility business has developed compact power-dense automotive inverters capable of increasing the range of electric vehicles. The inverters, which draw electricity from the battery and control how it is applied to the motor to manage power and torque, will be tested by a global automaker in first quarter 2019.... Read more →

On 15 December, the new BMW iFE.18 and the BMW i Andretti Motorsport Team will contest their first race in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Ad Diriyah (KSA). At the heart of the car, which was developed for Season 5, lies the drivetrain: the Racing eDrive01. Drivetrain components:... Read more →

The new Jaguar I-PACE’s (earlier post) electric powertrain can operate at currents of up to 650 amps. To handle these large currents and the resulting extreme load changes, Continental developed a next-generation power electronics system for Jaguar Land Rover that is specifically adapted to the requirements of sporty, performance-oriented powertrains.... Read more →

MTS Systems Corporation, a global supplier of high-performance test systems and sensors, announced further power density improvements to its electric motor and inverter technology for motorsport. Power density is a key component of successful racing. Leveraging experience and technology gained from developing energy recovery systems for Formula 1 racecars, MTS... Read more →

Fuel cell drive systems can have too low an output voltage and a volatile voltage level, both of which hamper system performance. These differences can be compensated by a DC / DC converter to regulate the voltage level for feeding into the DC link. With the support of the Central... Read more →

FCA US has awarded the production of the power electronics module for the Jeep Wrangler PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) to its Toledo Machining Plant. As part of the Capital Markets Day presentation in June, FCA committed to expanding its electrified propulsion systems in global architectures spanning the full range... Read more →

The UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has awarded £35 million (US$45.5 million) to three UK-based low carbon automotive powertrain projects. The technologies developed will support aspirations for the UK to be a world leader in zero emissions technology as part of the Industrial Strategy and recently-published Road to Zero strategy.... Read more →

West Virginia University (WVU) researchers are opening a new facility to capture rare earth elements (REEs) from acid mine drainage (AMD) from coal mining. Through a collaborative research and development program with the US Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), WVU is opening the Rare Earth Extraction... Read more →

As part of its contribution to a recently completed major European research initiative to achieve more efficient and cost-effective hybrid powertrains for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, Ricardo developed a new 48V e-motor offering up to a 50% increase in power density compared with current production machines. Ricardo designed... Read more →

Power management company Eaton is addressing increasing demand for high-voltage electrified vehicle technologies with the creation of its new eMobility business. eMobility is poised to capitalize on a global vehicle electrification market projected to grow to 15 million pure battery-electric vehicles and another 30 million hybrids, from mild to plug-in,... Read more →

Dana Incorporated and Hydro-Québec announced a joint-venture partnership in which TM4 Inc., a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec, will become Dana’s source for electric motors, power inverters, and control systems. As part of this agreement, Dana will become a majority shareholder of TM4 in exchange for CA$165 million (approximately US$127 million). Hydro-Québec... Read more →

John Deere Electronic Solutions’ (JDES) PD400 inverter is a key component in the Fuso eCanter fully electric truck. (Earlier post.) The JDES PD400 is a rugged, off-the-shelf inverter that has been proven in use at John Deere and in other off-road OEM applications. Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC)... Read more →