onsemi has secured a design win with Schaeffler to supply silicon carbide power devices for a new traction inverter used in a next-generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) platform. The system will be deployed by a leading global automaker and represents a step forward in the push for higher efficiency across electrified drivetrains.
The agreement builds on an existing partnership between the two companies and centres on onsemi’s latest generation of EliteSiC MOSFETs. These devices deliver low conduction losses, strong short-circuit performance, and superior thermal behaviour, making them well-suited to the demands of modern traction systems. Schaeffler will integrate them into an inverter design that prioritises size, efficiency, and long-term reliability.
Traction inverters are central to power delivery in any electric or hybrid vehicle. By switching from traditional IGBT-based designs to silicon carbide, manufacturers can achieve faster switching, reduced power loss, and tighter thermal margins. In Schaeffler’s case, that translates into three clear gains:
Greater energy efficiency, which helps extend EV range
Higher reliability, with fewer thermal stress points and less maintenance
Smaller packaging, freeing up room in increasingly compact drivetrain layouts
onsemi’s EliteSiC platform provides one of the lowest on-resistances in its class, delivering high peak power with minimal heat generation. It also helps reduce cooling requirements, a key advantage in dense, high-voltage systems.
“The traction inverter is at the heart of every electrified drivetrain,” said Christopher Breitsameter, Head of Business Division Controls at Schaeffler. “onsemi’s EliteSiC solution plays a vital role in meeting our performance targets.”
While silicon carbide has seen widespread adoption in battery electric vehicles (BEVs), it’s now increasingly being used in plug-in hybrids, particularly where power density, thermal efficiency, and switching speed are critical. The shift reflects growing demand for systems that can bridge the gap between combustion engines and fully electric platforms.
As the exclusive silicon carbide supplier for this PHEV program, onsemi is positioning itself at the centre of that transition. “Our silicon carbide technology delivers the efficiency, thermal performance, and power density that next-generation powertrains demand,” said Simon Keeton, Group President of onsemi’s Power Solutions Group.
The deal also highlights onsemi’s broader strategy of deep integration with Tier 1 suppliers. By working closely with partners like Schaeffler, the company is helping shape the architecture of tomorrow’s electric vehicles, whether full battery-electric or hybrid.
Learn more and read the original announcement here.
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