ST and Renault Partner to Power Electric and Hybrid Vehicles with Energy Efficient Technologies
STMicroelectronics and Renault enter into a partnership to design, produce, and supply power electronics systems for improved electric and hybrid vehicle performance.
A leading global provider of semiconductor technologies, STMicroelectronics (STM), and French multinational automotive manufacturer, Renault Group, recently announced their entry into a strategic partnership. The partnership involves the joint design, development, and production of STM’s products and related packaging solutions for the power electronics systems of battery-operated and hybrid vehicles.
Under the partnership, STM’s products and solutions will be provided to Renault to help improve the power performance of the latter company’s applications for electric and hybrid vehicles.
Moving Toward More Sustainable Technology
Together, both Renault and STM wish to move toward more energy-efficient and sustainable technology. Compared with other silicon-based devices on the market, silicon carbide (SiC) can offer certain advantages in electric and hybrid vehicles. The material can increase overall system efficiency, and in particular when concerning the inverter system. High power density, reduced size, and weight of battery management systems are just some factors that contribute to cost savings and a vehicle’s overall energy conservation. Not only can SiC-powered devices provide these benefits, but can also offer a greater driving range and system durability.
Gallium Nitride (GaN) materials are also attractive to electric and hybrid vehicle designers and makers who wish to create more sustainably. These wide bandgap materials can offer lower switching loss, faster switching speeds, increased power density, increased power density, and lower system costs.
Renault wishes to integrate STM’s advanced power electronics and come up with new devices to fit its technology needs. The two companies will develop modular components based on SiC and GaN transistors, along with related packages, and modules. STM will be working with Renault to design, make, and supply custom chips and wide bandgap power devices from 2026. The strategic partnership will enable the company to meet its carbon-neutral goals for Europe and the rest of the world by 2040 and 2050 respectively.
In a recent news release, the CEO of the Renault Group, Luca de Meo, commented: “We are delighted to work with market leader STMicroelectronics to integrate their advanced power electronics and to co-develop technologies to further improve the energy capacity of our electric and hybrid vehicle batteries and their performance on the road and when charging. This partnership secures future supplies of key components which will significantly contribute to reducing wasted energy by 45% and decreasing the cost of the e-powertrain by 30%, helping us fulfill our ambition of making electric vehicles affordable, profitable, and popular.”
In the same news release, the President and CEO of STM, Jean-Marc Chery, said: “ST is at the forefront of the development of advanced power semiconductors enabling the mobility industry to move to electrified platforms. With higher-efficiency products and solutions based on advanced materials such as Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride, we will support Renault Group’s strategy for its next generation of electric and hybrid platforms.” Chery added: “ST and Renault Group share a common vision for more sustainable mobility. This partnership will be another step forward in the progressive decarbonization process initiated by the mobility industry and its supply chain.”
