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Silicon carbide technology for high-voltage EV platforms
onsemi expands collaboration with NIO to enable 900V electric vehicle architectures using EliteSiC technology for improved efficiency, performance and faster charging.
www.onsemi.com
onsemi and NIO expand their strategic collaboration to accelerate the transition from 400V to 900V vehicle architectures using advanced EliteSiC power technology.
The move to 900V systems addresses critical requirements for drivetrain efficiency and ultra-fast charging capabilities. By integrating onsemi’s EliteSiC M3e technology into NIO’s latest flagship platforms, the partnership enables higher power density and improved thermal management. This evolution is a key component of the modern automotive data ecosystem, where high-performance hardware and software-driven power optimization are essential for competitive electric vehicle (EV) development.
Technical Advancements in EliteSiC M3e Technology
The EliteSiC M3e generation from onsemi represents a significant iteration of silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET technology. Compared to traditional silicon-based power components, SiC offers a higher breakdown electric field and superior thermal conductivity, which are necessary for high-voltage operation.
Key technical specifications and improvements include:
- Reduced Energy Losses: Enhanced body diode characteristics significantly reduce switching losses (Eon), which decreases the energy dissipated as heat in the powertrain.
- Increased System Output: The M3e platform allows for higher current handling within a smaller footprint, enabling more powerful and compact traction inverters.
- Short-Circuit Robustness: Despite the increase in switching speed and efficiency, the technology maintains high robustness against electrical stress, extending the reliability of the power system under demanding load conditions.
These parameters directly influence the vehicle’s ability to maintain consistent acceleration at highway speeds and under high-load executive driving scenarios.
900V Architecture Implementation in the NIO ES9
The technical leap to 900V architectures allows for higher power delivery at lower current levels, which facilitates the use of lighter, thinner cabling and reduces the overall mass of the vehicle. This architecture debuted on the flagship NIO ES9 SUV at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.
Primary technical benefits for the 900V platform include:
900V Architecture Implementation in the NIO ES9
The technical leap to 900V architectures allows for higher power delivery at lower current levels, which facilitates the use of lighter, thinner cabling and reduces the overall mass of the vehicle. This architecture debuted on the flagship NIO ES9 SUV at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.
Primary technical benefits for the 900V platform include:
- Ultra-Fast Charging: Support for high-voltage fast-charging systems that can add approximately 255 kilometers of range in five minutes when paired with 600-kilowatt charging infrastructure.
- Thermal Efficiency: Improved heat dissipation within the 102-kilowatt-hour ternary lithium-ion battery system, supporting a CLTC-rated range of up to 635 kilometers.
- Advanced Smart Driving Integration: The power platform supports the high-density requirements of the AQUILA super-sensing system, which includes triple LiDAR and 31 sensors for executive-level driver assistance.
Strategic Impact on the Digital Supply Chain
The transition to high-voltage architectures reflects a broader shift in the digital supply chain, characterized by deep engineering alignment between semiconductor manufacturers and automakers. Vehicles are becoming increasingly power-intensive, necessitating system-level integration to manage complexity.
By aligning technology roadmaps, onsemi and NIO reduce the developmental friction associated with adopting third-generation silicon carbide platforms. This collaborative model accelerates the execution of scalable EV platforms, allowing for a faster time-to-market for high-performance vehicles while ensuring that power systems are optimized for the specific demands of AI-native vehicle operating systems.
Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
The transition to high-voltage architectures reflects a broader shift in the digital supply chain, characterized by deep engineering alignment between semiconductor manufacturers and automakers. Vehicles are becoming increasingly power-intensive, necessitating system-level integration to manage complexity.
By aligning technology roadmaps, onsemi and NIO reduce the developmental friction associated with adopting third-generation silicon carbide platforms. This collaborative model accelerates the execution of scalable EV platforms, allowing for a faster time-to-market for high-performance vehicles while ensuring that power systems are optimized for the specific demands of AI-native vehicle operating systems.
Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
