Electric Commercial, Construction & Agriculture Vehicles
Innovative and flexible semiconductor solutions for e-mobility on land
From small utility vehicles to larger, more complex machinery, many types of commercial, construction, and agriculture vehicles (CAVs) have started to transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) and diesel power to electric powertrains.
On and off the highway, battery electric (BEV) and fuel cell electric (FCEV) CAVs are powered by electricity sourced from batteries, hydrogen fuel, or overhead power lines. BEVs and FCEVs operate similarly to their traditional counterparts but with the added benefits of electric power such as reduced emissions, quieter operation, fewer system-level passive components, lower maintenance, and lower total cost of ownership.
CAVs are responsible for up to
30%
(~2 Gigatons) of global transportation emissions
Greater than
10%
of CAVs are already electrified
The electric CAV market is growing at a
>20%
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from about 2023-2030
Mobility needs are changing amidst an expected
>10%
growth in worldwide population by 2035
Electric CAVs
In order to achieve best-in-class performance under demanding environmental conditions, including harsh climates, continuous vibration, and exceptional loads, electric CAVs rely on the latest semiconductor solutions to deliver maximum power density, robust thermal cycling capability, higher peak performance, greater efficiency, and higher reliability and quality over a long lifetime.
Commercial
Electric semi-trucks and transit buses transport people and good over long distances. These vehicles will soon require an expanded charging infrastructure, up to the megawatt-level.
Construction
Electric forklifts, excavators, loaders, and mining trucks gather and transport materials on work sites, inside warehouses and facilities, at shipyards, and more. These vehicles navigate continuous vibration and exceptional loads and therefore rely on high-quality semiconductors to maintain peak performance over a long lifetime.
Agriculture
Electric tractors, foragers, harvesters, and sprayers cultivate and harvest crops as well as raise and support livestock. These vehicles face harsh climates and depend on reliable semiconductor solutions to deliver robust thermal cycling capability, greater efficiency, and higher quality.
Applications
Wolfspeed silicon carbide power semiconductors are suited to the unique requirements of each power electronic system integrated throughout electric CAVs.
Click on the interactive block diagram to view common topologies (and suggested products) for each power system.
Products
Click on the interactive topology diagrams to select the right products for your system design.
Common Topology: Three-Phase 2 Level Inverter
The main inverter, or traction inverter, converts DC power from the battery into AC power to drive the electric motor.
Common Topology: Two (or More) Phase Non-Isolated DC-DC Boost Converter
The fuel cell boost stage converts DC power from the hydrogen fuel cell into DC Busbar voltage in order to power the main inverter.
Common Topology: Flyback Isolated DC-DC
On-board auxiliary power supply units convert high voltage power from the DC busbar line into more usable, low voltage power to support infotainment, navigation, and other accessory functions.
Common Topology: Three-Phase 2 Level Inverter
Auxiliary motor drives convert power from the main DC busbar line to power additional electronic systems. Examples of aux motor drives include an electric drive shaft located off the back of a tractor used to rotate a soil tiller as well as electric power take off drives (ePTOs) used to lessen the load on the main inverter by harnessing and distributing power to auxiliary functions.
Common Topology: Three-Phase 2 Level Inverter
Pump and fan actuators, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, control the flow of air, water, or oil throughout different areas of the vehicle.
Common Topology: Power Factor Correction (PFC) + Isolated Dual Active Bridge (DAB)
An on-board charger (OBC) for an electric CAV rectifies the power input and converts it to the charging voltage required for the battery (typically a 400 V or 800 V power distribution architecture).
More EV users are looking to gain the most of their batteries by leveraging the expanding charging networks around them – either to power their home, a local grid, another vehicle, or receive power from any of these loads via a bi-directional charger. This concept, aptly named Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), is one way Stercom is enabling more accessible and efficient charging technologies with Wolfspeed Silicon Carbide.
