Recently, Geely Automobile, a well-known domestic automaker, and STMicroelectronics, the world's leading semiconductor supplier, have reached an important long-term supply agreement to jointly promote the application of silicon carbide (SiC) materials in the field of new energy vehicles, leading the industry into a new stage of development.
With the increasing awareness of global climate change and environmental protection, the new energy vehicle market is ushering in a golden period of rapid development. As one of the core components of new energy vehicles, battery technology and motor technology have become important factors that determine vehicle performance and market competitiveness. As a new type of high-performance material, silicon carbide (SiC) has broad application prospects in the field of new energy vehicles due to its excellent properties such as high pressure resistance, high temperature resistance and high frequency characteristics.
As a leading enterprise in the domestic new energy vehicle market, Geely Automobile has been committed to promoting the development and innovation of new energy vehicle technology. As a global leader in the semiconductor industry, STMicroelectronics has advanced SiC technology and extensive manufacturing experience. The two parties signed a long-term supply agreement to jointly promote the application of SiC materials in the field of new energy vehicles and improve the performance and competitiveness of new energy vehicles.
Figure: Geely signs SiC agreement with STMicroelectronics
Under the terms of the agreement, ST will supply SiC power devices for several brands of Geely Automobile's mid-to-high-end battery electric vehicles. These SiC power devices will be used in motor controllers and charging equipment for electric vehicles, where they can significantly increase power density, reduce energy consumption, speed up charging, and extend range.
In addition, the two companies will cooperate in related fields such as automotive electronic/electrical (E/E) architecture, advanced driver assistance (ADAS) and new energy vehicles. Through the establishment of the Innovation Joint Laboratory, the two parties will jointly explore new solutions and technology paths to promote the continuous innovation and progress of new energy vehicle technology.
SiC materials have excellent physical and chemical properties, making them ideal for the field of new energy vehicles. Compared with traditional silicon-based devices, SiC devices can withstand higher voltages and temperatures, with higher energy conversion efficiency and longer lifetime. At the same time, SiC devices have higher switching frequencies and lower losses, which can significantly improve the energy efficiency and performance of electric vehicles.
With the continuous expansion of the new energy vehicle market and the continuous progress of technology, the application prospects of SiC materials will become more and more broad. According to the forecast of market research institutions, the SiC market will maintain a rapid growth trend in the next few years, especially in the field of new energy vehicles, which will become the main growth point of the market. The cooperation between Geely Automobile and STMicroelectronics will inject new impetus into the development of the SiC market, promote the advancement of new energy vehicle technology and the transformation and upgrading of the industry.
