4
NEWS
Toyota announces high-efficiency semiconductor
New technology claimed to reduce energy consumption by as much as 10 per cent in hybridsA new silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor developed in Japan offers the potential for fuel use in hybrid-drive vehicles to be reduced by a further 10 per cent.
Toyota's research institute, Toyota Central R&D Labs, and partner Denso Corporation have been working on a more efficient replacement for silicon semiconductors since the 1980s. Toyota, the parent company, became involved in the research work with the launch of the first-generation Prius in 1997.
The SiC reduces electrical energy loss normally associated with semiconductors in the PCU (Power Control Units) switching on and off. PCUs account for as much as 25 per cent of the electrical power loss in hybrids, of which, 20 per cent of the total is wasted by conventional semiconductors.
The SiC reduces drain on the vehicle's battery and thus the hybrid-drive system can run on pure battery-stored energy (in 'EV' mode) for longer. Testing undertaken with an SiC-equipped PCU on board a Prius indicates fuel economy improves by at least five per cent, in accordance with Japan's standard JC08 fuel consumption test.
Due to the lower power loss implicit in using SiC semiconductors, the PCU's coil and capacitor can be much smaller, allowing the PCU to be reduced in size by as much as 80 per cent of volume, according to Toyota. That reduces weight and improves packaging.
The semiconductors in PCUs transfer electrical energy from the battery to the car's electric motor and back again, when the vehicle is recovering energy from the drive wheels through regenerative braking. Using silicon carbide reduces resistance in the semiconductor, which in turn reduces energy loss.
R&D is taking place at Toyota's Hirose plant, and has potential application in battery/electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids as well as conventional hybrids like the Prius. Toyota plans to test vehicles on public roads in Japan at some point within the next 12 months.
Pictures show third generation Prius, Hirose plant, silicon (left) and silicon carbide semiconductor, conventional PCU (left) and PCU with SiC
Share this article
Written byCarsales Staff
See all articlesOur team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todaySell your car with Instant Offer™
Like trade-in but price is regularly higher
1. Get a free Instant Offer™ online in minutes2. An official local dealer will inspect your car3. Finalise the details and get paid the next business day
Get a free Instant Offer
Related articles
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Love every move.
Buy it. Sell it.Love it.
®Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Scan to download the carsales app
Want more info? Here’s our app landing page
App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo
are trademarks of Google LLC.