The move comes under Jaguar Land Rover’s Reimagine strategy , and will use Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide technology in its vehicles’ inverter from 2024 onwards, across both Land Rover and Jaguar.
Under its Reimagine strategy, Jaguar Land Rover is transforming to an electric-first business, to become carbon net zero across its supply chain, products, services, and operations by 2039. The partnership builds on Wolfspeed’s existing relationship with the Jaguar TCS Racing team competing in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
“We are not strangers having collaborated together with the Jaguar TCS Racing team for the last five seasons. 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,” said Thierry Bolloré, CEO , Jaguar Land Rover.
The partnership agreement sees Jaguar Land Rover participate in the Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply ProgramTM, 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. The agreement is the latest in a series of strategic partnerships for Jaguar Land Rover’s modern luxury vehicles. In February 2022, Jit announced a partnership with NVIDIA focused on software-defined, advanced automated driving systems for next-generation vehicles starting in 2025.
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 with a focus on increased powertrain efficiency and extended driving range. The first Range Rover vehicles with this advanced technology will be available from 2024, and the new all-electric Jaguar brand the following year.
Wolfspeed President and CEO, Gregg Lowe, added: “Wolfspeed is proud to partner with Jaguar Land Rover, supporting its bold commitment to electrify its iconic brands by using Silicon Carbide’s superior performance, efficiency and range. 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.”
Wolfspeed’s Silicon Carbide power device solutions will be produced at Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab in Marcy, New York, which opened in April 2022 as the world’s largest 200mm Silicon Carbide fabrication facility. The fully automated facility dramatically expands capacity for Wolfspeed’s Silicon Carbide technologies, which will supply electric propulsion systems ranging from 400V to 800V.
