JLR & Wolfspeed announce strategic partnership
Jaguar Land Rover and Wolfspeed have announced a strategic partnership for the supply of silicon carbide semiconductors. The technology is expected to increase powertrain efficiency and range for JLR’s next-generation electric cars from 2024.
The partnership with Wolfspeed now announced builds on the existing cooperation with the Jaguar TCS Racing team, he said. Silicon carbide technology is already being used in Formula E, according to JLR, “where it provides greater efficiency and higher performance on the race track.”
The newly struck agreement will see Jaguar Land Rover participate in the Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply Program, which is designed to secure the supply of the technology for future electric vehicle production needs. JLR sees access to silicon carbide semiconductors as an essential part of the electrification of next-generation Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar vehicles.
Wolfspeed’s technology encompasses all electric drive systems – across the entire voltage spectrum from 400 to 800 volts. The silicon carbide semiconductors for the inverters are manufactured at Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab in Marcy, New York. The production facility opened in April 2022. The fully automated facility expands Wolfspeed’s production capacity to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and other advanced technologies around the world. General Motors is also among Wolfspeed’s customers. The US automaker uses Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide components in the integrated power electronics of its Ultium Drive units – for both 400 and 800 volts.
“We are not strangers having collaborated together with the Jaguar TCS Racing team for the last five seasons,” said Thierry Bolloré, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, adding: “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.”
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