Jaguar Land Rover has announced its partnership with Wolfspeed to supply Silicon Carbide semiconductors for next-generation electric vehicles, delivering increased powertrain efficiency and extended driving range.
The partnership builds on Wolfspeed’s existing relationship with Jaguar TCS Racing team competing in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, where its advanced Silicon Carbide technology has been used to accelerate on-track efficiency and performance.
The new partnership agreement sees Jaguar Land Rover participate in the Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply Programme, to secure the supply of this technology for future electric vehicle production needs.
This will enable greater visibility and control over Jaguar Land Rover’s future supply chain and is key to the new value chain approach of the company’s operations and supply chain under the leadership of Barbara Bergmeier, Executive Director of Industrial Operations.
Under the partnership, Wolfspeed’s advanced Silicon Carbide technology will be used specifically in the vehicles’ inverter, managing the transfer of power from the battery to the electric motors.
A press release from the carmaker stated that the first Range Rover vehicles with this technology will be available in 2024 and the new all-electric Jaguar brand the following year.
The agreement is the latest in Jaguar Land Rover’s programme of establishing strategic partnerships with industry leaders for its future modern luxury vehicles; in February 2022, Jaguar Land Rover announced a partnership with NVIDIA focused on software-defined, advanced automated driving systems for next-generation vehicles starting in 2025, the release added.
Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “By developing that into a strategic partnership as part of our Reimagine strategy, we can integrate Wolfspeed’s advanced Silicon Carbide technology into our next generation electric vehicles, delivering extended range and performance capabilities for our clients.”
Notably, under its Reimagine strategy, Jaguar Land Rover is transforming into an electric-first business to become carbon net zero across its supply chain, products, services, and operations by 2039.
Wolfspeed President and CEO, Gregg Lowe noted that the energy efficiency of Silicon Carbide will play an essential role as Jaguar Land Rover pursues its own zero-carbon goals and as the world transitions to an all-electric transportation future.
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