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36 EE|Times EUROPE

EVs
How ST Strategizes SiC to Power the Future

of EVs

By Anne-Françoise Pelé

he electrification of road transport
is a necessary step for achieving
carbon-neutrality objectives. As the
T demand for silicon carbide wafers
accelerates, STMicroelectronics has applied
recent investments in its manufacturing
facilities and expanded its partnership with
Soitec on SiC substrate manufacturing
technology.
SiC, a wide-bandgap semiconductor, has
been a technology accelerator for electric
vehicles, increasing the power density of EV
electronics systems while reducing the
vehicles’ overall weight, size and cost.
“Automotive and industrial customers
around the world are adopting SiC to improve STMicroelectronics’ Edoardo Merli
the performance of their systems as they shift
to electric platforms,” said Edoardo Merli, 800-V battery systems as the new standard requirements of automotive OEMs. And the
Power Transistor sub-group general manager in the EV powertrain. SiC will play a key role adjustments are paying off. The French-
and executive vice president of in the transition from 400-V to 800-V EV Italian group generated about US$700 million
STMicroelectronics. “The supply of SiC systems. in SiC revenue in 2022, with a plan to be
devices isn’t unlimited, however, and greater Tesla kicked off the SiC power device above US$1 billion in 2023.
volumes will be required over the coming market in 2018, when it became the first “We are now well over 100 projects
years to support global demand. Our carmaker to use SiC MOSFETs in its Model involving more than 80 customers, with the
cooperation with Soitec is mutually beneficial 3. Supplied by ST, the device was integrated majority of projects being automotive,” said
in terms of additional qualified capacity to with an in-house–designed inverter. SiC Merli. “SiC power devices play a key role in
support this strategic market.” is now the material of choice for EVs, and our strategy and to achieve revenue targets
market research firm Yole Group predicts that over the coming years. Not only are our
NAVIGATING THE ROAD TO the EV/hybrid-vehicle market will represent process and package technologies the focus of
ELECTRIFICATION more than 70% of the SiC market, equating to constant development and innovation, [but]
In line with carbon-emission–reduction US$4.7 billion, in 2027. we are injecting major capital into our supply
trajectories, EV adoption is surging. Demand The sustained demand for SiC wafers is chain and manufacturing capabilities to meet
for faster charging, greater efficiency and such that IDMs like ST, Infineon and onsemi rising current and future demand.”
longer range is driving the development of are adjusting their strategies to meet the In 2023, ST plans to invest about

IMAGE: STMICROELECTRONICS

MARCH 2023 | www.eetimes.eu