The automotive industry faces three primary challenges to making electric vehicles (EVs) more viable: cheaper batteries, extended range, and faster charging. To address these goals, manufacturers are exploring new materials that have emerged from research. One of these materials is silicon carbide.
What is silicon carbide? Silicon carbide is a compound made of silicon and carbon. Its hardness, comparable to that of diamonds, makes it a popular abrasive in certain industries. However, its high conductivity and thermal stability have also made it a key material for EVs.
According to Bosch, silicon carbide can withstand very high temperatures, offering a 50% increase in efficiency compared to materials traditionally used in inverters and batteries. Additionally, its compact size allows for greater efficiency in smaller spaces.
Why is it essential for EVs? Silicon carbide is one of the most promising materials for EVs. It enhances vehicle voltage, enabling electric motors to deliver more power while allowing batteries to charge and recover energy more efficiently.
Incorporating silicon carbide into components such as inverters and batteries results in vehicles that are more efficient and energy-dense. For example, a car using this material will deliver greater range and power than a vehicle with the same-size battery that doesn’t use it.
The industry has recognized this advantage for years. Tesla, supplied by STMicroelectronics, leveraged silicon carbide to position its Model 3 as a leader in efficiency. STMicroelectronics told The New York Times that the material increased Tesla’s vehicle autonomy by 10%.
The race for supply. Interest in silicon carbide has surged among EV manufacturers. Wolfspeed, a semiconductor specialist, has built a silicon carbide manufacturing hub in upstate New York, securing contracts with companies like General Motors.
Ampere, Renault’s EV division, recently joined the race by partnering with STMicroelectronics to secure a medium-term supply of silicon carbide. Renault has stated that the material will enable the production of inverters for batteries operating at 800 volts, allowing vehicles to charge from 10% to 80% in just 15 minutes.
Other automakers—including BYD, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover, and Lucid—have also entered agreements with silicon carbide producers to enhance the performance of their EVs.
China’s dominance. No discussion of EV materials is complete without considering China’s role. Chinese companies have been working with silicon carbide for nearly two decades, with some holding patents that cover the entire production chain and applications of the material.
China is a dominant force in this market, producing 42% of silicon carbide chips. This share is projected to increase to 50% by the early 2030s. The automotive industry’s demand for silicon carbide is expected to drive an 11.6% production increase between 2024 and 2032.
STMicroelectronics confirmed earlier this year, via Reuters, that China will lead the increase in silicon carbide production. Currently accounting for 15% of its sales, the company plans to expand its investments in China in the coming years.
Image | STMicroelectronics
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