McLaren Applied launches 800V SiC inverter

October 17, 2023

• McLaren Applied introduces IPG5-x, a flexible 800V Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverter for integration into Electric Drive Units (EDUs).• The new IPG5-x is designed for collaboration with Tier 1 and OEM partners, aiming to bring EDU products to market quickly and cost-effectively.

McLaren Applied has introduced the IPG5-x, an adaptable 800V Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverter. The product is designed for integration into Electric Drive Units (EDUs), addressing the increasing Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) demand for high-performance, integrated EDUs that are space and cost-efficient.

The IPG5-x is a variant of the award-winning 800V SiC inverter, IPG5. The two products will coexist, with their use depending on specific customer requirements. The ‘x’ in IPG5-x signifies its collaborative nature, designed for working closely with Tier 1 and OEM partners to bring EDU products to market swiftly and economically.

McLaren Applied is currently negotiating with several OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. They are also collaborating with transmission provider TREMEC to develop an integrated EDU for their first customer vehicle application.

Paolo Bargiacchi, Head of Product, Automotive at McLaren Applied, commented, “In our discussions with customers and partners, it’s become clear that OEMs are increasingly looking for the option to source integrated EDUs that save space, cost and speed up development time.”

The IPG5-x offers superior fine motor control and high efficiency through continuously variable switching frequencies. This maximizes the benefits of SiC semiconductors. The product represents a significant step in the ‘waves of electrification’ as described by McLaren’s automotive team.

Bargiacchi added: “The immediate focus must be on achieving greater drivetrain efficiency and cost reduction, which you can do through a product like IPG5-x. Models based on dedicated 800V SiC architectures are leading the way, driving a virtuous cycle: an efficient drivetrain inherently has a smaller battery, which makes the vehicle cheaper, lighter and easier to control, and offers a smaller embedded and operating carbon footprint. It also increases range and speeds up charge times, building trust in the technology.”

In anticipation of the fourth wave of electrification, where OEMs will need to differentiate their products’ customer experience, McLaren Applied has developed advanced motor control software. This software is incorporated in both IPG5 and IPG5-x and enables a variety of features from improved refinement to a more engaging drive.