Electromobility: Innovative Developments thanks to Semiconductor Technology

Table of contents

1. Propulsion: optimized inverter for more range
2. Hope for the future: silicon carbide
3. Efficient battery management
4. Charging infrastructure: fast charging at e-charging stations
5. Trend electric bikes
6. Semiconductor products available from Bürklin Elektronik

More than 600,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are currently registered in Germany, plus just under 566,000 vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive systems (as of 2022). And the trend is rising. For automakers, this trend is linked to a mission: to optimize and further develop this new way of driving and to adapt it to the demands of drivers.

Developments in the electromobility sector demand one thing above all: innovative semiconductor technology of the highest quality. Because whether motor performance, battery management or charging infrastructure: without semiconductors there would be no electric drive, no e-charging stations and no digital gadgets. Why semiconductors are of particular importance in e-mobility and what else can we expect in this sector? We have summarized the most important contents for you.

Propulsion: optimized inverter for more range

In principle, electric cars need more semiconductors than vehicles with combustion engines. The reason is that semiconductor technology plays a particularly important role in driving electric models. Whether mild hybrid models or fully electric vehicles is irrelevant.

In battery-powered vehicles, the drive converter, or inverter, plays a key role. The more efficient the inverter, the less energy is lost on the way from the battery to the engine. And that in turn means a longer range. It is precisely here that most developments will be expected in the future. After all, range, together with charging time and the price of the e-car, is a key factor in the purchase of e-mobiles.

Hope for the future: silicon carbide

Expensive but effective: silicon carbide (SiC). Carbon atoms are integrated into the crystal structure of high-purity silicon, and the resulting SiC can in turn be used for semiconductor components. The result: special SiC semiconductor chips that provide more range and higher performance when used in electric cars.

In power electronics in particular, the use of ICs is expected to result in up to 50 percent less energy being lost in the form of heat. This, in turn, has an impact on the entire electronics: Innovations of this kind enable them to work more efficiently and save a great deal of energy in the process. These surpluses can be used by the engine to generate more range.

Another bonus: The lower heat loss of the chips and the possibility of using them at significantly higher operating temperatures mean that savings can be made on costly cooling systems. And that in turn has an impact on the weight of the e-mobile – and ultimately on the price of the vehicle.

Efficient battery management

In terms of range, the capacity of the battery is of crucial importance in addition to the efficiency of the inverter. A reliable battery management system (BMS) monitors and optimizes the battery and is responsible for the performance of the e-car. This requires high-quality transistors and chipsets that also ensure functional safety and accuracy. Special semiconductor solutions with power management ICs, RTCs and processors with software drivers are essential here.

It is precisely these optimized semiconductor components that will enable the manufacture of even longer lasting and more powerful batteries in the future. And this will certainly make driving electric cars even more attractive.

Charging infrastructure: fast charging at e-charging stations

In addition to range, the charging time of electric cars is also a critical issue for consumers. Currently, it takes about half an hour to refuel an average e-mobile – to achieve 250 kilometers of range with a charge of about 100 kWh. However, many electric vehicles still take longer to sufficiently charge their batteries – too long for many potential buyers compared to filling up a gasoline tank. It is precisely in this respect that manufacturers want to meet their customers’ demands even better and are relying on innovative semiconductor technology. In the future, fast charging will be based primarily on direct charging via an off-board charging system.

The off-board charger already converts the alternating current into direct current and only then routes it to the e-car. The battery is thus charged directly and without an intermediate step. On-board chargers, on the other hand, are integrated in the vehicle and have to convert the alternating current from the socket into direct current in a first step. Only then can the battery be supplied with energy.

In the further development of effective off-board charging systems, SiC components play an essential role – such as specially developed SiC diodes, MOSFETs and various power modules including gate drivers. These advanced semiconductor devices help to further optimize the charging process in the future to meet the demands of the industry and potential customers. The specific goals: faster charging, more power and more efficiency.

Trend electric bikes

A trend that has already gained widespread acceptance in e-mobility: the e-bike. Whether motor, batteries, sensors, displays, circuits: Electric bikes also rely on efficient electrical components – and on semiconductor components that ensure reliable and safe riding. Customers are thrilled. And thanks to innovations in the field of semiconductor technology, we can also look forward to even more efficient models in this area in the future.

Semiconductor products available from Bürklin Elektronik

Semiconductor components are increasingly in demand from both industry and private customers. Bürklin Elektronik has a wide range of semiconductors: from diodes and power semiconductors to various memory ICs, logic ICs and sensor ICs, and much more. In the online store, individual products and models can be found easily and ordered immediately. If you have any questions about Bürklin Elektronik’s semiconductor products, please contact the experts at Bürklin Elektronik at any time!