Infineon HybridPACK Power Module
Battery system and electric drive connection
Electric Vehicles Need 19 Times More Semiconductors Than Before

Semiconductors play a key role in e-mobility.

Infineon Technologies announced on the 18th that it was selected as Hyundai-Kia Motors’ “2018 Supplier of the Year” for supplying power modules to hybrid and electric vehicles.

Hyundai-Kia Motors, the world's fifth-largest automaker, awarded prizes to a total of 23 companies across 14 categories. Infineon won in the overseas partner category and is the first semiconductor company to receive this award.
Hyundai-Kia stated, “Infineon has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in developing and rapidly supplying new power modules. The Double Sided Cooling product, which offers a new level of electrical performance, will support Hyundai’s e-mobility growth.”

In electric vehicles, Infineon's HybridPACK power module acts as a bridge between the battery system and the electric drive.

It converts the battery's direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) to drive the electric motor, and converts the AC generated during braking into DC to charge the battery. The efficiency of this process—that is, the amount of energy loss during this process—directly affects the driving range of electric vehicles, the required battery size, and consequently, the cost.
Peter Schiefer, President of Infineon’s Automotive business unit, said, “As e-mobility accelerates, the demand for automotive power semiconductors is growing rapidly worldwide.”

According to research by Strategy Analytics, the drivetrains of full hybrid or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles require 19 times the power semiconductors of conventional cars.

"Infineon, a leader in power modules, possesses 300mm wafer chip manufacturing facilities," said President Schipper. "This award from Hyundai-Kia Motors demonstrates Infineon's efforts to ensure a smooth supply of power semiconductors in preparation for the future growth of e-mobility."

Infineon is the world's leading supplier of power semiconductors. Infineon is currently expanding production capacity at its plants in Dresden, Germany, and Kulim, Malaysia.

Last November, construction began on a new 300mm production facility at the Villach plant in Austria. This facility is scheduled to begin operations in 2021.