Equipmake launches new HPI-800 SiC inverter to reduce battery size by approximately 10% and improve EV efficiency

According to foreign media reports, electrification specialist Equipmake has launched a new inverter that is said to allow electric vehicles to have a leap in performance.

(Image source: Equipmake)

Benefiting from the high power density of silicon carbide (SiC), the HPI-800 inverter has high efficiency and has the potential to reduce the size of electric vehicle batteries by about 10%. At the same time, the device is compact and low in weight, which is conducive to packaging.

Inverters play a key role in electric vehicle powertrains. This device converts the direct current from the battery into alternating current to drive the electric motor. At the same time, it times the on-off changes to adjust the frequency of the AC charge and control the speed of the motor. The faster and more efficient the inverter, the more efficient the entire vehicle is, and the more driving range you can get from the battery.

Conventional electric vehicles use inverters with insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), which switch current at frequencies of up to 20kHz. In contrast, the use of SiC provides higher power levels, reduces power losses, and improves overall efficiency. Therefore, Equipmake's new HPI-800 inverter can switch current at frequencies of up to 40kHz.

In addition to significant gains in power and efficiency, SiC inverters are smaller and lighter, allowing designers to gain aerodynamic advantages and improve packaging while reducing the amount of cooling required in the vehicle. Its lightweight structure also changes the power-to-weight ratio, from 40kW/kg for current IGBT technology to 100kW/kg for SiC devices.

Until now, SiC inverters have not been adopted by the mass market due to price reasons. But Equipmake believes that this is about to change. Ian Foley, Managing Director of Equipmake, said: "The upfront cost of SiC inverters is fully compensated by the additional performance benefits. In a typical high-performance sports electric car, the associated efficiency can reduce the battery size by at least 10%, or about 40-50kg. Although its price may be twice that of the IGBT version, the significant reduction in battery size saves more than the inverter itself. At the same time, the technology helps to improve the efficiency and performance of electric vehicles.

“The HPI-800 offers huge potential benefits for all types of EV powertrains in terms of battery size reduction alone. Given its small size and light weight, OEMs have even more reason to choose SiC for their next generation inverters.

“It is expected that by 2024, passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs) equipped with SIC inverters will surpass conventional IGBT vehicles. By 2030, 95% of BEVs will feature SIC. Therefore, this is the perfect time for Equipmake to launch this new technology.”

Designed and manufactured in the UK, Equipmake's compact HPI-800 SIC inverter measures 494 mm long, 287 mm wide, 94 mm high and weighs 12.7 kg. Depending on the motor, it can deliver up to 400 KW of maximum continuous output power. The HPI-800 inverter features Wolfspeed/Cree SiC modules with switching frequencies up to 40 kHz, capable of meeting ASIL-D finished product functional safety levels.

The HPI-800 inverter is available now and can be ordered in quantities of tens, or even thousands.