Jaguar Land Rover has turned to Wolfspeed, Inc. for the supply of Silicon Carbide semiconductors for its next generation electric vehicles.
The technology will deliver increased powertrain efficiency and extended driving range, said JLR.
Under its Reimagine strategy, Jaguar Land Rover said it is transforming to an electric-first business, to become carbon net zero across its supply chain, products, services, and operations by 2039.
The Range Rover-maker added that Wolfspeed’s advanced Silicon Carbide technology will be used specifically in the vehicles’ inverter, managing the transfer of power from the battery to the electric motors.
The first Range Rover vehicles with this advanced technology will be available from 2024, and the new all-electric Jaguar brand the following year.
“We are not strangers having collaborated together with the Jaguar TCS Racing team for the last five seasons,” said Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover.
“By developing that into a strategic partnership as part of our Reimagine strategy, we can integrate Wolfspeed’s advanced Silicon Carbide technology into our next generation electric vehicles, delivering extended range and performance capabilities for our clients.”
Wolfspeed’s world leading technology is powering electric propulsion systems across the entire voltage spectrum – from 400V to 800V. The Silicon Carbide power device solutions will be produced at Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab in Marcy, New York, which opened in April 2022 as the world’s largest 200mm Silicon Carbide fabrication facility.
The fully automated facility dramatically expands capacity for Wolfspeed’s Silicon Carbide technologies, which will supply the increasing demand for EV production and other advanced technology sectors around the world.
Wolfspeed president and CEO, Gregg Lowe, added: “The energy efficiency of Silicon Carbide will play an essential role as Jaguar Land Rover pursues its own zero carbon goals, and as the world transitions to an all-electric transportation future.”
The partnership agreement sees Jaguar Land Rover participate in the Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply ProgramT, to secure the supply of this technology for future electric vehicle production needs. This will enable greater visibility and control over Jaguar Land Rover’s future supply chain and is key to the new value chain approach of the company’s operations and supply chain under the leadership of Barbara Bergmeier, Executive Director of Industrial Operations.
