APEI-lead Team Developing SiC and GaN Traction Drive Systems

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $2 million to a collaborative partnership led by Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. (APEI), a team which also includes Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc., GaN Systems, Inc., the University of Arkansas’ National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission, and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The competitive award was announced by the Department of Energy as one of thirty-eight new projects across the country in a $45M effort to develop new technologies that will reduce transportation costs and improve fuel efficiencies. “By partnering with universities, private industry, and our national labs, the Energy Department is helping to build a strong 21st century transportation sector that cuts harmful pollution, creates jobs, and leads to a more sustainable energy future,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “By improving the fuel economy of our cars and trucks, we can save families and businesses money at the pump and better protect our air and water.”

The APEI, Inc. led team will be developing new electric motor traction drives for hybrid electric vehicles, with technology based on emerging silicon-carbide (SiC) and gallium-nitride (GaN) power semiconductors. “Our motor drive technology reduces power losses by more than 50%, and we can reduce the size and weight of the motor drive electronics by up to 90%,” said APEI, Inc. President and CEO Alex Lostetter. “These improvements lead to significant savings in vehicle cost, increases driving distances, and reduces fuel expense. We’re very excited to be working with Toyota to get this technology into the next generation of Prius hybrid-electric vehicles. It’s an amazing opportunity.”