Amid the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, USI has begun to lay out the assembly and testing of power modules for major international power semiconductor suppliers in recent years. Recently, USI won the favor of several European, American, and Japanese clients. As a result, USI expects to mass produce insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) and silicon carbide (SiC) power modules for electric vehicle inverters in 2022.

Burgeoning EV Market

The growth of the electric vehicle market has driven the demand for crucial power semiconductor components and modules. In particular, third-generation semiconductors boast high efficiency, low energy consumption, high frequency, high power, high voltage, and high-temperature resistance. All of these features can improve the fast-charging efficiency of electric vehicles.

The development of electric vehicles and their components and modules complement each other. This further accelerates the rise of third-generation semiconductor SiC and gallium nitride (GaN chips) and modules.

Power Inverters are Crucial in EVs

The five major systems of electric vehicles include the auto body, electricity, charging, battery, and motor power. Among these systems, power semiconductor components and modules are widely used for charging, battery management systems, and motor power.

Electric vehicles need inverters to convert high-voltage DC power from the battery into AC power for the motor to drive.

In 2019, USI won a long-term contract for power modules from European clients. The modules are used for on-board chargers (OBC), the standard configuration for all electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. OBC converts AC power to DC power in order to charge the power battery. The power module plays a vital role in current rectification and voltage stabilization.

Expanse of Production, Breadth of Experience

Aaron Chen, AVP of Automotive Electronics BU of USI, said, “With a flexible and agile structure, USI will introduce product automation to continuously improve powertrain manufacturing and testing technology related to electric vehicles. The next five years will continue to grow, bringing tremendous growth to the automotive electronics business.”

Automobile OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers have high requirements for localized production. In response to growing transportation costs, USI has established 27 production locations worldwide across Europe, the United States, Asia, and Africa. The company leverages on the ability to provide customers with the most suitable localized manufacturing service solutions, quickly respond to customer needs, and enhance the value for customers, said Chen.

USI has more than 40 years of experience in automotive electronics fields. In addition to the successful efforts of the powertrain system for vehicles, which has been recognized by European and American original equipment and Tier 1 suppliers, electric vehicle and new energy vehicle components have become important aspects of the company’s roadmap for automotive electronic products. These components are also driving factors of USI’s future growth.