onsemi and Geely expand SiC collaboration for next-gen EV platforms

onsemi and Geely Auto Group have announced an expansion of their strategic collaboration to accelerate the development of next-generation electric and hybrid vehicles. This move focuses on integrating silicon carbide (SiC) technologies more deeply into future vehicle platforms. For readers of eeNews Europe, this announcement underscores how power semiconductor innovation is increasingly influencing EV architectures and system-level design decisions, especially as the industry transitions to higher-voltage platforms.

One of the key aspects of this partnership is the incorporation of onsemi’s EliteSiC power technologies into vehicles based on Geely’s SEA-S (Sustainable Experience Architecture – Super Hybrid) platform. These systems are tailored to support emerging 900V electrical architectures, enabling quicker charging, extended range, and enhanced performance consistency. Geely has already introduced its SEA-S–based Super Electric Power (SEP) system, where EliteSiC devices play a central role in the electric drive. The higher power density allows for more compact and lighter designs, while improved thermal performance ensures reliability in challenging conditions. The outcome is a more efficient drivetrain with smoother power delivery and improved driving dynamics.

Significance of 900V Voltage

The transition from current 400V–800V systems to 900V architectures signifies a broader emphasis on efficiency. Higher voltage reduces current for the same power level, leading to lower losses and heat generation. This directly translates into reduced charging times and extended driving range, which are crucial factors for EV adoption. The importance of onsemi’s SiC technology lies in its ability to handle higher voltages with superior efficiency compared to traditional silicon.

Deepening Industry Collaboration

According to Hassane El-Khoury, “The EV market is evolving into a new phase characterized by higher-voltage architectures and growing system complexity. Our enhanced partnership with Geely demonstrates how automakers and semiconductor partners are collaborating more closely and at earlier stages to influence critical vehicle design choices. Together, we are enabling the development of EVs that offer improved efficiency and performance.”

Gan JiaYue adds, “As we progress with our electrification strategy, closer coordination with technology partners becomes increasingly vital. The integration of onsemi technologies across our SEA-S–based electric vehicle platforms exemplifies this deeper collaboration in practice. By working with onsemi as a key system-level partner, we can achieve better alignment in platform design and engineering execution, supporting our objective of delivering high-performance, efficient electric vehicles to customers globally.” This collaboration highlights a growing trend: semiconductor vendors are no longer just suppliers of components but are now significant contributors to EV platform architecture and performance.