Wolfspeed has unveiled a new generation of silicon carbide power modules that it claims will set a higher benchmark for electric vehicle propulsion systems, as competition intensifies in the market for high-efficiency inverter technology.
The US semiconductor group said that its 1200V silicon carbide six-pack modules, built on its latest Gen 4 MOSFET technology, offer three times the power-cycling capability of rival products at operating temperature, and deliver a 15% increase in inverter current within an industry-standard footprint.
Dr Cengiz Balkas, Wolfspeed’s Chief Business Officer, said the technology would allow electric mobility manufacturers to “take a quantum leap forward”, particularly in heavy-duty, construction, and agricultural vehicles where reliability and power density are key. Improvements stem from Wolfspeed’s new YM packaging platform combined with the Gen 4 switching technology.
The company said the modules use sintered die attach, copper clip interconnects, and advanced encapsulants to deliver significantly longer operating life. According to Wolfspeed, the devices can withstand three times more power cycles than current best-in-class alternatives with similar dimensions.
Performance gains also include a 22% reduction in on-resistance at 125°C, and an approximate 60% cut in turn-on energy across operating temperatures. A redesigned diode architecture aims to reduce switching losses by 30%, and lower voltage overshoot during reverse recovery by 50%, compared with the previous generation.
Wolfspeed said the modules were designed to be dropped into existing system architectures with minimal redesign, serving as direct replacements for insulated-gate bipolar transistor modules in industrial and mobility applications. The simplified assembly process removes the need for power-terminal laser welding and complex cold-plate mounting, while retaining compatibility with established gate drivers, sensors, cooling systems, and capacitors.
Guy Moxey, Vice President and General Manager for Industrial and Energy, said the improvements would reduce maintenance costs and extend vehicle lifetimes, addressing fleet operators’ concerns about energy efficiency and long-term operating costs.
Samples of the 1200V silicon carbide modules are now available to customers, with wider distribution expected in early 2026.
Wolfspeed, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is a proponent of silicon carbide semiconductors, which are increasingly used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and industrial power electronics because of their higher efficiency and thermal performance.
