NIO Selects SiC Traction Power Modules from Onsemi
VE-Trac modules provide EVs with longer range, higher efficiency and faster acceleration
Onsemi has announced that automotive firm NIO Inc. chose the latest VE-Trac Direct SiC power modules from Onsemi for its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs). The SiC based power modules are said to enable longer range, higher efficiency and faster acceleration for EVs.
The VE-Trac Direct SiC is an integrated single side direct cooling (SSDC) power module in a six-pack configuration with a low turn on resistance of 1.7 mohm. This platform implements the second generation SiC MOSFET technology from Onsemi to achieve higher performance, efficiency, and quality in a compatible package footprint with its IGBT predecessor. An integrated pin fin baseplate enables direct liquid cooling and easy assembly which allows maximum power output and more efficient thermal dissipation.
“From all the solutions we considered, the VE-Trac Direct SiC traction power modules offered the best efficiency during testing, allowing us to extend our New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) range by 4 percent compared to the current silicon solution,” said Alan S. Zeng, senior vice president at NIO. “Onsemi convinced us with the high performance and reliability of its products as well as the excellent support from its engineering and management team. We look forward to collaborating with Onsemi on bringing more innovative EVs to market for generations to come.”
The VE-Trac offerings, including previously introduced VE-Trac Dual and VE-Trac Direct platforms, are available in silicon-based IGBT and in SiC with various voltages, and for traction inverter power ranging from 100 to 250 kW. With its standardised mechanical footprints and expanded power ratings, the VE-Trac product family is designed to effortlessly scale EV power outputs, accelerating the adoption of hybrid and battery EVs (BEV).
"This design collaboration is the culmination of substantial efforts Onsemi has put into developing the right technologies for emerging applications such as smart EVs," said Simon Keeton, executive vice president and general manager of Power Solutions Group at Onsemi. "Onsemi is the only supplier of SiC solutions with vertical integration capability including SiC boule growth, substrate, epitaxy, device fabrication, best-in-class integrated modules and discrete package solutions. We are rapidly expanding our SiC capacity and are uniquely positioned to address the growing EV market with supply assurance, performance, quality and tailored SiC end solutions.”
