What is the international standing of BYD's IGBT?
4 Answers
BYD's IGBT4.0 chip, equipped in its new energy vehicles, was successfully developed in 2017. After more than a decade of technological research and accumulation, and persistent dedication to the IGBT industry, BYD has now become the only automaker in China with a complete industrial chain, earning widespread market recognition and securing a place on the international stage. Below is an introduction to the 2021 BYD EV Premium Song PLUS New Energy: 1. Powertrain: Equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a total power of 135kw, paired with a fixed gear ratio transmission. 2. Body Dimensions: Length, width, and height are 4705mm, 1890mm, and 1680mm respectively.
As someone who follows the new energy sector, I've noticed that BYD's IGBT technology is quite impressive. From the perspective of independent control, BYD is the only domestic automaker that masters the entire chain of chip design, wafer manufacturing, and module packaging & testing. Their self-developed IGBT4.0 chips achieve a 40% increase in current density and 20% lower comprehensive losses compared to international products, which have been stably applied in models like the Han and Tang. Internationally, Mitsubishi and Infineon remain giants, but BYD has risen to second place in global market share, with its self-produced chips installed in over a million vehicles last year. Even more impressive is the launch of silicon carbide modules last year, which can withstand higher voltages and temperatures—a technology just adopted by Tesla in the Model 3, demonstrating BYD's rapid technological advancement and solidifying its position in the international first tier.
I specialize in researching automotive supply chains, and BYD's IGBT has indeed broken the monopoly. They started laying out their semiconductor strategy in 2008 and now produce approximately 1.5 million modules annually, with a self-sufficiency rate exceeding 70%. Key parameters such as a withstand voltage capability of 1200V and a switching frequency over 100kHz are comparable to Infineon's seventh-generation products. What's even more impressive is their vertical integration model—BYD established its own semiconductor base in Ningbo, even handling wafer cutting independently, reducing costs by 30% compared to sourcing chips from abroad. In 2022, they even supplied products to Hyundai and Ford, with overseas revenue growing by 200%. Although there's still a gap compared to Infineon's 30% global market share, BYD has surpassed Mitsubishi and Fuji, making it a benchmark for domestic semiconductors.
After test-driving multiple electric vehicles, I was deeply impressed by the stability of BYD's IGBT. For instance, when an EV model suddenly accelerates, the IGBT is responsible for instantaneously switching high currents. Actual tests show that BYD's modules have a 15°C lower temperature rise compared to overseas brands and can operate in environments ranging from -30°C to 150°C. This is attributed to their unique PIN-FIN cooling structure and nano-silver sintering process, with a failure rate of only 0.2%, outperforming the industry average. In terms of production capacity, it's also astonishing—the Ningbo factory produces 20,000 12-inch wafers per month, meeting 80% of their own demand. Internationally, only Infineon can provide automotive-grade chips on a similar scale, which shows that BYD has firmly secured the second position globally.
