Denso begins mass production of SiC power semiconductors for fuel cell vehicles

To achieve a low-carbon society, Denso has begun mass production of a new generation of boost power modules*1 equipped with high-quality  SiC (silicon carbide) power semiconductors. Toyota's new generation "MIRAI" model, which was officially launched in Japan on December 9, 2020, is equipped with this product.

Continue to develop and deepen the R&D and production of SiC power semiconductors

Denso has been developing SiC  technology "REVOSIC®*2" to apply  SiC  power semiconductors (diodes, transistors) to automotive applications  . SiC is a semiconductor material that has better performance than conventional Si (silicon) in high temperature, high radio wave, and high voltage environments. It has made great contributions to reducing system power consumption, miniaturization, and light weight, and is attracting attention as a raw material for making key electrification devices. Denso applied SiC transistors to audio in 2014, and in 2018, it applied SiC diodes to vehicles, which were adopted in Toyota's fuel cell bus (TOYOTA SORA).

Excellent performance Volume reduced by about 30% Power loss reduced by about 70%

This time, Denso has developed a new SiC transistor for automotive use, which has enabled the simultaneous installation of SiC transistors and SiC diodes on automobiles. In particular, the newly developed SiC transistors, due to the use of Denso's unique trench gate structure and processing technology, simultaneously achieve the high reliability and high performance required in harsh automotive environments. Compared with previous products equipped with Si power semiconductors, the new generation of boost power modules equipped with SiC power semiconductors (transistors, diodes) has a volume reduction of about 30% and a power loss reduction of about 70%, while promoting the miniaturization of boost power modules and the improvement of vehicle fuel efficiency.

Denso will continue to promote the research and development of SiC technology "REVOSIC®" and further expand its application in electrified vehicles such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, and continue to contribute to the realization of a low-carbon society.

Notes:

*1 A step-up power module is a product that drives multiple SiC power semiconductors to output a higher voltage than the input voltage.

*2 REVOSIC® is the general term for SiC technology that achieves both high quality and low loss. Aiming to bring innovation to society through innovative SiC technology, the company named REVOSIC and is committed to continuously advancing the industry's comprehensive technology research and development from high-quality wafers to power modules that achieve high efficiency.