Hyundai and Kia EVs could quickly get new silicon-carbide energy modules aimed toward boosting vary.
Semiconductor agency STMicroelectronics (ST) mentioned final week in a press launch that it has been chosen by Hyundai to provide its silicon-carbide energy modules for EVs primarily based on the automaker’s E-GMP platform, which underpins the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60. Extra E-GMP fashions are on the best way, together with the Ioniq 6 sedan and Ioniq 7 and Kia EV9 SUVs.
2023 Kia EV6 GT
Silicon-carbide tech permits for increased working voltages than standard silicon semiconductors, permitting for quicker charging in addition to better vitality effectivity, which in flip improves vary. Variations of the EV6 and Ioniq 5 already topped 300 miles of range at launch, in order that they weren’t precisely missing in that space.
The corporate mentioned it’s going to present its third-generation Acepack Drive {hardware} to Hyundai. Whereas it mentioned manufacturing of those modules would begin in March 2023, no particular timeline for integration with E-GMP autos was given. Hyundai additionally hasn’t mentioned which of its E-GMP fashions would be the first to get the silicon-carbide energy modules.
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
Hyundai introduced its E-GMP platform two years in the past—providing a risk of coming near matching Tesla on effectivity and vary. With the incorporation of silicon-carbide tech, it would probably move it.
Hyundai has already mentioned that the Ioniq 6 sedan will high the Ioniq 5 in effectivity and vary, due to aero enhancements in addition to enhancements to the motor system. It’ll even be the primary E-GMP mannequin with over-the-air updates totally enabled for the U.S. It is scheduled to reach at dealerships in early 2023.
