ON Semi and Nio are accelerating the transition to next-generation high-voltage platforms by expanding cooperation on core electric vehicle technologies. The two companies plan to simultaneously improve driving range and charging efficiency, centering on silicon carbide (SiC)-based power semiconductor technology.

ON Semi announced on April 28 that it is expanding its strategic cooperation with Nio. This collaboration focuses on supplying core power semiconductor technology in the transition process from existing 400V electric vehicle systems to a 900V architecture.

The technology applied by both companies is a solution based on ON Semi's 'EliteSiC M3e'. This technology is characterized by its ability to increase electric vehicle driving efficiency by reducing losses during power conversion and improving switching performance. It enables stable power control while minimizing heat generation, making it advantageous for maintaining performance even in high-load driving environments.

These characteristics also affect actual vehicle performance. As battery energy loss is reduced, the driving range on a single charge increases, and charging time can be shortened through a high-voltage-based charging system. In addition, as output stability increases, improvements are expected in terms of acceleration performance and driving stability.

The collaboration between the two companies is an expansion of the technological cooperation that began with the existing 400V platform. Currently, this technology is being applied to the development of Nio's 900V platform and has already been incorporated into select models, including the flagship SUV. It is also reported that the technology will be applied to new models unveiled at the 2026 Beijing Motor Show.

The industry views this collaboration as aligning with the trend of structural changes in electric vehicles. This is because the transition to high-voltage architectures is accelerating as vehicle power demand increases, and consequently, the importance of collaboration between automakers and semiconductor companies is growing.

ON Semi plans to continue cooperation in a direction that reduces the development burden on EV manufacturers and accelerates launch speeds through system-level integration. This approach is likely to act as a major variable in future competition for high-voltage-based EV platforms.