STMicroelectronics and Li Auto sign long-term silicon carbide supply agreement to support 800V platform

According to news on December 22, STMicroelectronics signed a long-term silicon carbide (SiC) supply agreement with Li Auto. According to the agreement, STMicroelectronics will provide silicon carbide MOSFETs to Li Auto to support Li Auto’s strategic plan to enter the high-voltage pure electric vehicle market.

According to reports, STMicroelectronics’ silicon carbide has higher switching frequency, breakdown voltage and thermal resistance, which can significantly improve the performance and energy efficiency of power transistors. These characteristics are very important in the high-voltage environment of pure electric vehicles. Li Auto's upcoming 800V high-voltage pure electric platform will use STMicroelectronics' third-generation 1200V SiC MOSFET technology in the electric drive inverter.

Meng Qingpeng, Vice President of Li Auto Supply Chain, said:

Li Auto is committed to providing family users with luxury electric vehicles that exceed expectations. The signing of the SiC supply agreement with ST confirms Li Auto's firm decision to develop pure electric vehicle products. We are optimistic about our future cooperation with ST, the global leader in silicon carbide technology. This will surely be an innovative and successful partnership.

Cao Zhiping, executive vice president of STMicroelectronics and president of China, said:

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in power semiconductors and wide bandgap technology, and is a long-term supplier to many well-known automobile manufacturers and first-tier suppliers. The silicon carbide supply agreement we signed with Li Auto marks another important step in building on our long-term cooperation in other automotive applications. ST is committed to supporting Li Auto to become China's leading brand of high-end new energy vehicles and provide users with excellent vehicle performance and cruising range through our SiC innovative technology.

According to previous reports from IT House, at the Ideal Home Technology Day conference held by Li Auto in June this year, Li Auto released an 800V high-voltage platform 5C battery with a peak charging power of more than 500kw, a range of 400 kilometers in 9 minutes and 30 seconds, and a charging time of 22 seconds. It has a battery life of 600 kilometers per minute; 5C fast charging uses low internal resistance cells, reducing heat production by 30%.

Li Auto also announced that it will complete the construction of 300+ supercharging stations by the end of 2023 and 3,000+ supercharging stations by 2025. In 2025, the average distance between supercharging stations will be 100 kilometers, and a single station can serve 9-20 vehicles per hour.