800V vs.

400V
Which semiconductors will
power future EVs?

Part 3: Power electronics

 There are different categories of
electric vehicles classified based on
vehicle segment and price

Price

Premium
Sport BEV
Luxury BEV

Family BEV

Volume BEV

Value BEV

A B C D E F S
Vehicle Segment
 A typical EV powertrain contains
several power electronic components
with different power classes

Electric Drive Unit

Gearbox
E-Motor
DC/DC Boost Traction
HV-Battery
Converter Converter Inverter

1.5 to 6 kW (optional)
On-Board 70 to 300+ kW
Charger

3.6 to 22 kW

Power electronics Other powertrain components

 There are three main semiconductor
technologies, each suited for different
power & switching frequencies

Power in kW

1000 Si
Traction
Inverter
100

On-Board
10 Charger

SiC DC/DC
1 Converter GaN

1 10 100 1000 10,000

Switching frequency in kHz

Si = Silicon
SiC = Silicon Carbide
GaN = Gallium Nitride
 Each semiconductor technology
meets specific requirements for EV
power electronic devices
Cost
efficiency

Operating Switching
temperature frequency

Voltage Power

Si SiC GaN
Several configurations are possible for
EV power electronics; we identified
three potential configurations

Configuration Economy Mixed High-end

Voltage
400 V 800 V

Inverter
Si SiC GaN

OBC & DC/DC

Si SiC GaN

Current trend Future trend

 Selecting the right power electronics
configuration for your application
is crucial to stay competitive…

Example of configuration selection

Power in kW

500 High-end
Most affordable
400 solution for low- Mixed
power demand
300 800 V

200 Economy 400 V

100 400 V

Budget Value Volume Family Luxury Premium

BEV BEV BEV BEV BEV Sport BEV
 …but which of the overlapping
technical configurations would be
best for your application?

Example of configuration selection

Power in kW Balance between performance and cost is
key in determining configuration selection

500 High-end
400 Mixed
300 800 V

200 Economy 400 V

100 400 V

Budget Value Volume Family Luxury Premium

BEV BEV BEV BEV BEV Sport BEV
 We can support you in developing
power electronics strategies that best
optimize your portfolio!

Our services

Intelligence & Business & Tech. Cost & Value

Foresight Strategies Management

Lifecycle & PCF Cost & Design … and more

Analysis Benchmarking
 GET IN TOUCH WITH US!

… and stay tuned for updates!

Dr. Naser Guillem Iker

Almohammed Pérez Jauregui
Senior Manager Consultant Consultant