Jaguar Land Rover secures silicon carbide semiconductor tech for next-gen EVs

Strategic partnership with Wolfspeed integral to electrification of its next-generation Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar vehicles; silicon carbide technology to deliver significantly increased powertrain efficiency and extended driving range

Autocar Professional BureauBy Autocar Professional Bureau calendar 01 Nov 2022 Views icon4189 Views Share - Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Whatsapp
Strategic partnership with Wolfspeed will secure supply for silicon carbide semiconductor tech, integral to electrification of next-generation Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar vehicles.

Strategic partnership with Wolfspeed will secure supply for silicon carbide semiconductor tech, integral to electrification of next-generation Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar vehicles.

Jaguar Land Rover has inked a strategic partnership with Wolfspeed Inc for the supply of silicon carbide semiconductors for its next-generation electric vehicles, delivering increased powertrain efficiency and extended driving range.  

Under its 'Reimagine' strategy, Jaguar Land Rover is transforming to an electric-first business, to become carbon net zero across its supply chain, products, services, and operations by 2039.

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.

The partnership builds on Wolfspeed’s existing relationship with the Jaguar TCS Racing team competing in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, where its advanced Silicon Carbide technology has been used to accelerate on-track efficiency and performance.

The agreement is the latest in Jaguar Land Rover’s programme of establishing strategic partnerships with industry leaders for its future modern luxury vehicles: in February 2022, Jaguar Land Rover announced a partnership with NVIDIA focused on software-defined, advanced automated driving systems for next-generation vehicles starting in 2025.

Thierry Bollore, CEO, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “We are not strangers having collaborated together with the Jaguar TCS Racing team for the last five seasons. 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 President and CEO, Gregg Lowe, said: “Wolfspeed is proud to partner with Jaguar Land Rover, supporting its bold commitment to electrify its iconic brands by using Silicon Carbide’s superior performance, efficiency and range. 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 Program, to secure the supply of this technology for future EV 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.

Wolfspeed’s technology powers 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.

 

RELATED ARTICLES
Horse Powertrain reveals hybrid conversion for electric cars

auther Autocar Professional Bureau calendar19 Apr 2025

Engine-making joint venture of Geely and the Renault Group announces new hybrid powertrain that fits into the same space...

Aisin to produce hybrid motor for Mitsubishi in Thailand

auther Autocar Professional Bureau calendar06 Apr 2025

The hybrid drive motor and gearbox, will be produced at Aisin Powertrain (Thailand) Co for use in the Mitsubishi XForce ...

GM reports strong Q1 sales in China, demand for EVs and hybrids surges 53%

auther Autocar Professional Bureau calendar06 Apr 2025

General Motors and its joint ventures in China have sold more than 442,000 units between January and March 2025.