Electric vehicle

Electric vehicles have a wide range of applications in the semiconductor field, encompassing various power semiconductor devices. The following are some common applications:

1. IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) In electric vehicles, IGBTs are used in applications such as electronic control, HVAC and thermal management, and charging systems, making them critical components that determine vehicle performance and safety. For example, a four-wheel‑drive all‑electric model requires 18 IGBTs per motor—one at the front and one at the rear—while the on‑board charger needs 4 and the electric air conditioner requires 8, totaling 48 IGBT chips per vehicle. Their value can reach the thousand‑yuan level.
2. MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) : Medium- and low-voltage MOSFETs are widely used in automotive applications such as electric sunroofs, windshield wipers, airbags, and rearview mirrors. In battery-electric vehicles, the demand for MOSFETs further increases due to onboard chargers (OBCs) and DC‑DC converters. With the shift to LED headlights, MOSFET demand has risen sharply, and the growing popularity of gradient glass on car roofs and sides—favored by many new‑energy vehicle manufacturers—has also boosted MOSFET requirements.
3. SiC MOSFET (Silicon Carbide Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) It features high-temperature and high-pressure resistance, as well as compatibility with higher frequencies, making it well-suited for flexible applications in electric vehicles. It can operate across high‑power, high‑voltage ranges, helping to extend the driving range of new‑energy vehicles. For example, it is used in fast‑charging stations and high‑voltage inverters. Although installation costs are relatively high, it can accelerate the adoption and penetration of new‑energy vehicles.

As automotive electrification and intelligence continue to advance, the importance of semiconductors in vehicles is steadily increasing, driving up the per‑vehicle value of power semiconductors. Various types of power semiconductor devices play critical roles in electric vehicles—enabling power conversion, circuit control, and voltage regulation—to meet the demands for high efficiency, enhanced safety, and superior reliability.