A New Boost for Electric Vehicle Market

According to a recently published report titled ‘Electric Vehicle Market: India Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Forecast (2017-2025)’, the electric vehicle market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 77% in terms of value during the forecast period. The key growth drivers for the electric vehicle market are rising fuel prices, advancements in automotive components technology and the direneed for environment-friendly motors.
 

In order to promote the electric vehicle market, the Indian government launched the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020 in 2012. The aim of this policy is to provide support towards the development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities, necessary infrastructure and technology along with creating customer awareness. India has an ambitious plan to have 15% electric vehicles on the road in the coming five years.
 

There is no doubt that the electric vehicle market is gaining momentum in India. There are challenges, but they also create substantive opportunities for the eco system of vehicle manufacturers, vendors, distributors, startups as well as the government. Mitsubishi Electric clearly understands the needs of the electric vehicle market and has a start in tapping these opportunities. It aims to make the mass scale production of electric vehicles a reality.
 

Mitsubishi Electric has recently launched a new J-Series transfer molded power semiconductor module (T-PM) primarily for motor drive applications in both electric and hybrid vehicles. These power semiconductor modules meet rigorous safety standards and hence, are highly reliable. As a pioneer of mass production of power semiconductor modules for hybrid vehicles since 1997, Mitsubishi Electric has long-standing experience and proven expertise in these modules.
 

The new semiconductor modules from Mitsubishi Electric offer are compact, light and consume less power in invertors for electric and hybrid vehicles. It also features a highly integrated sixth-generation IGBT with a carrier-stored trench-gate bipolar transistor (CSTBTTM) structure and high-thermal conductivity isolation sheet in a transfer molded package. The company brings compact EV/HEV inverter designs to fruition by accomplishing 36% smaller footprint and 42% lighter weight compared with the existing J-Series CT300DJH060 automotive power semiconductor module.
 

Another breakthrough feature of these modules is inverter power-loss reduction supported by low-loss power semiconductor chips. It realises low power-loss EV/HEV inverter designs through the utilization of sixth-generation IGBT, achieving 12% lower collector-emitter saturation voltage compared with the existing J-Series.
 

These modules are also automotive-grade high quality and feature transfer molded structure and Mitsubishi Electric’s original Direct Lead Bonding (DLB) structure. Its power-cycle and temperature-cycle lifespans are 30 times longer than those of typical industrial powersemiconductor modules. The power-cycle lifespan is based on repetitive operational tests with the chip energised and the temperature rapidly changed within a range of 50°C and 100°C. The temperature cycle lifespan is based on repetitive operational tests with the temperature modulated between -40°C and 125°C without the chip being energised. The new module is completely lead-free, including its terminal plating.
 

Going forwards, the electric vehicles market will also witness many other positive developments.  For example, electric charging stations would be installed in housing blocks, corporate buildings and parking areas. Apps and systems would be created to track the battery usage, nearest recharge station, etc. There would be easy availability of safe, high-quality and affordable automotive parts for electric vehicles. 
 

Electric vehicles market is a great opportunity for the industry as well as customers. As the demand increases, the market will drive more innovations. Mitsubishi Electric is all set to ride on the wave of this market.