Silicon carbide chips promise performance, energy loss reduction, and electric vehicle range, with production scaling as demand for EV technology rises.
Bosch has started shipping samples of its third-generation silicon carbide (SiC) chips to automakers worldwide, paving the way for more efficient electric vehicles (EVs) in the near future. The new chips are expected to be integrated into upcoming EV models, where they will help improve energy efficiency and extend driving range.
Silicon carbide semiconductors outperform traditional silicon chips by operating faster and reducing energy losses, while enabling higher power density. Bosch says its latest generation delivers around 20% better performance and comes in a smaller form factor, allowing more chips to be produced per wafer. This miniaturization not only improves efficiency but also lowers production costs, making high-performance EV electronics more accessible. According to Bosch executive Stefan Hartung Heyn, these advancements position the company strongly in the growing EV semiconductor market.
Since introducing its first-generation SiC chips in 2021, Bosch has shipped over 60 million units globally. To meet rising demand, the company has invested heavily in semiconductor development, including around €3 billion through Europe’s IPCEI microelectronics programs, and expanded its clean-room manufacturing capacity.
Production of the third-generation chips is underway at Bosch’s Reutlingen facility in Germany using advanced 200 mm wafers. Meanwhile, its Roseville, California site—acquired in 2023—is being upgraded with a €1.9 billion investment and is expected to begin producing sample chips this year.
Bosch plans to supply SiC chips from both Europe and the United States, strengthening supply chain resilience as EV adoption accelerates. A key advantage remains its proprietary “Bosch process,” an advanced etching technique that enables precise chip structures and enhances overall performance.
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