Cree’s Wolfspeed Technology Moves Electric Vehicle Market to the Fast Lane with Newest 1200V SiC MOSFET

New Innovations Revolutionize Power Conversion for EVs

DURHAM, N.C. -- Wolfspeed, A Cree Company (Nasdaq: CREE), today announced a performance breakthrough in the ability to power the drivetrain of electric vehicles (EVs) using its new third generation 1200V SiC MOSFET family. This switching device, which enables high-voltage power conversion, solidifies the company’s leadership in solutions for the EV ecosystem. The development brings increased efficiency to the drivetrain while lowering system costs, paving the way for longer driving range and better overall EV performance for consumers.

“There is a growing global demand for more electric vehicles on the road, with nearly all vehicle manufacturers announcing new electric platforms across their fleets,” said Gregg Lowe, CEO of Cree, Inc. “Cree is at the forefront of enabling this dramatic change in the automotive industry with new technologies, such as Wolfspeed’s new silicon carbide MOSFET portfolio, that help foster the adoption of electric vehicles.”

This marks another milestone in Wolfspeed’s 30-year history of innovations in wide bandgap power conversion technology, including EV applications. Wolfspeed revolutionized the EV market in 2015 with the industry’s first 900V SiC MOSFET family, which broke the cost barrier to SiC adoption in off-board and on-board chargers by delivering smaller and higher-efficiency next-generation power conversion systems at cost parity with silicon-based solutions. Today’s new 1200V MOSFET extends the company’s technology into the drivetrain and will enable the world’s most efficient EV power converter systems.

“Wolfspeed’s expanded SiC portfolio will make it possible for auto suppliers and manufacturers to develop the EV ecosystem of the future,” said Cengiz Balkas, general manager of Wolfspeed. “Our components enable smaller, lighter systems that deliver more miles per charge. This allows us to bridge the gap between EVs and gas vehicles on cost and performance.”

Breakthrough Drivetrain Technology:

Wolfspeed’s new C3M™ 1200V SiC MOSFET technology will enable the world’s most efficient EV power converter systems. It is capable of handling high current with the industry’s lowest drain-source on resistance (RDS(on)) performance at 1200V and the lowest switching losses, giving it the highest figure of merit on the market today, which increases the distance that consumers can drive on a single charge.

Engineering samples of Wolfspeed’s newest generation 1200V SiC MOSFETs are available to select customers and will be in full distribution later this year. Interested customers should contact their local Cree sales office.

Ongoing EV Charging Innovations:

In addition to the 1200V SiC MOSFET, Wolfspeed continues to deliver better charging efficiency for EVs with enhanced SiC products for on-board and off-board chargers, including:

• E-Series Diodes: The industry’s first 1200V SiC diodes to be both automotive qualified and high-humidity/high voltage/high-temperature qualified.
• 20kW Two-Level AFE and 20kW DC/DC Converters: Demonstrate how Wolfspeed™ C3M SiC MOSFETs can cut power losses and simplify system designs.
• 6.6kW Bi-Directional On-Board Charger: Delivers optimal efficiency for high-power-density, on-board charger applications.

Wolfspeed’s C3M 1200V SiC MOSFET and the expanded portfolio of SiC power products will be on display at the Wolfspeed booth #9-242 during PCIM Europe 2018 in Nuremberg, Germany from June 5-7. To learn more about how Wolfspeed is building a better electric vehicle ecosystem, visit: https://go.wolfspeed.com/evs.

About Cree

Cree is an innovator of Wolfspeed™ power and radio frequency (RF) semiconductors, lighting class LEDs and lighting products. Cree’s Wolfspeed product families include SiC materials, power-switching devices and RF devices targeted for applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging, inverters, power supplies, telecom and military and aerospace. Cree’s LED product families include blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs and lighting-class power LEDs targeted for indoor and outdoor lighting, video displays, transportation and electronic signs and signals. Cree’s LED lighting systems and lamps serve indoor and outdoor applications.

Please refer to www.cree.com or www.wolfspeed.com for additional product and Company information.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including customer acceptance of our new products; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render Cree’s products obsolete; and other factors discussed in Cree’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 25, 2017, and subsequent filings.

Cree^® is a registered trademark, and Wolfspeed™ and C3M™ are trademarks of Cree, Inc.

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