The market for silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor devices in electric vehicles will exceed $2.5 billion in 2030, according to a new report from UK-based strategic consulting firm Exawatt. The report is the industry’s first deep-dive analysis of the outlook for SiC in EVs, and builds on research conducted with, and for, Exawatt customers and stakeholders since 2017.
SiC devices and systems, notably traction inverters in EVs, are significantly more expensive than their silicon counterparts. But the business case for SiC has already been proven, based on the benefits the semiconductor material brings to EVs in the form of increased vehicle range, smaller system size and reduced cooling requirement. Tesla now incorporates SiC in the inverters of all its models, and Hyundai recently announced it would use SiC in the powertrain of its upcoming 800V E-GMP EV platform, with the first models scheduled to launch in 2021. BYD and Toyota are using SiC in select models, and automotive tier 1 manufacturers are also ramping up development of SiC-based systems, including BorgWarner/Delphi Technologies, Vitesco Technologies/Continental, Bosch, Hitachi, ZF and Denso.
Exawatt’s new report is essential reading for anyone involved in:
- EV powertrains and on-board chargers
- Charging stations
- The SiC supply chain, including crystal growth, wafer manufacturing, epitaxial deposition and device fabrication
To find out more about the new report, or learn about Exawatt’s custom work in the SiC and power electronics areas, please contact Exawatt’s lead SiC analyst adam@exa-watt.com to arrange an introduction.
