Overview
- Strategic Powerhouse Collaboration: L&T Semiconductor Technologies Ltd (LTSCT) joins forces with Taiwan’s Hon Young Semiconductor (HYS) to pioneer the development of cutting-edge 650V to 3300V silicon carbide (SiC) wafers, targeting transformative applications in electric vehicles (EVs), industrial systems, and renewable energy sectors.
- Advanced SiC Technology: Focus on high-performance SiC MOSFETs and Schottky barrier diodes, delivering significantly lower switching losses, exceptional thermal management, and superior energy efficiency compared to traditional silicon-based solutions.
- Broad Applications: Designed to power critical EV components like onboard chargers, traction inverters, and DC fast-charging stations, alongside solar and wind inverters, motor drives, and high-voltage power converters for industrial and energy storage systems.
- Production Excellence: Manufacturing to take place at HYS’s state-of-the-art facilities in Taiwan, ensuring a robust and resilient supply chain, stable pricing, and high-quality output for global markets.
- R&D Leadership: LTSCT is investing heavily in SiC prototyping, rigorous validation, and scalable production processes, aiming to create proprietary intellectual property (IP) that sets new benchmarks for next-generation power electronics.
- Expert Endorsement: LTSCT CEO Dr. Sandeep Kumar emphasizes HYS’s unmatched expertise in SiC wafer fabrication, positioning the partnership to meet soaring global demand for efficient power solutions.
- India’s EV Ecosystem Boost: Aligns seamlessly with India’s 7.31% EV adoption rate (1.2 million units sold in 2024, 2.5 million projected for 2025), supporting PM E-Drive’s ₹10,000 crore initiative for 72,300 charging stations and FAME-III incentives.
- Global and Local Impact: Counters supply chain risks from China’s rare earth export restrictions, strengthens India’s role in the $2 trillion global EV market by 2030, and fosters job creation and export opportunities.
L&T and Hon Young Join Forces: SiC Wafers to Drive India’s Electric Vehicle Revolution
In a landmark move for India’s burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, L&T Semiconductor Technologies Ltd (LTSCT) has forged a transformative partnership with Taiwan-based Hon Young Semiconductor (HYS) to develop high-voltage silicon carbide (SiC) wafers ranging from 650V to 3300V. This collaboration is poised to revolutionize power electronics for EVs, renewable energy systems, and industrial applications by delivering advanced SiC MOSFETs and Schottky barrier diodes. These components promise lower switching losses, superior thermal performance, and unmatched energy efficiency compared to conventional silicon-based technologies. As India’s EV market accelerates with a 7.31% adoption rate and 2.5 million projected sales in 2025, this initiative aligns with PM E-Drive’s ambitious ₹10,000 crore plan for 72,300 charging stations, positioning India as a global hub for sustainable mobility solutions amid China’s tightening grip on rare earth exports.
The Partnership: A Fusion of Expertise and Innovation
The L&T-Hon Young alliance leverages HYS’s world-class SiC wafer fabrication capabilities and LTSCT’s cutting-edge semiconductor design expertise to create a robust supply chain for high-performance power devices. Production will occur at HYS’s advanced facilities in Taiwan, ensuring consistent quality, competitive pricing, and resilience against global supply chain disruptions. “Hon Young’s specialized focus on SiC wafer manufacturing makes them an ideal partner for readiness, cost-effectiveness, and supply chain stability,” said Dr. Sandeep Kumar, CEO of LTSCT. The partnership targets critical applications, including EV onboard chargers, traction inverters for propulsion systems, DC fast-charging infrastructure, solar and wind inverters, motor drives for industrial automation, and high-voltage converters for energy storage systems.
Why Silicon Carbide? A Game-Changer for EVs
Silicon carbide (SiC) technology is a leap forward from traditional silicon-based semiconductors, offering significant advantages for the EV industry and beyond. SiC MOSFETs and Schottky barrier diodes provide lower switching losses, enabling more compact and lightweight designs that extend EV driving ranges by up to 10-15%. Their superior thermal conductivity allows for better heat dissipation, critical for high-power applications like fast charging and heavy-duty industrial systems. Additionally, SiC’s ability to operate at higher voltages (650V–3300V) supports the development of next-generation EVs with faster acceleration and longer ranges, as well as renewable energy systems that maximize efficiency in solar and wind power conversion. “SiC is the future of power electronics, delivering efficiency and sustainability,” Kumar noted, highlighting its potential to reduce energy consumption by 20–30% compared to silicon.
LTSCT’s R&D Commitment: Building a Sustainable Future
L&T Semiconductor is pouring resources into research and development to ensure the SiC wafers meet global standards. This includes prototyping, rigorous performance validation, and scaling production to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient solutions. The company is also focused on creating proprietary intellectual property (IP) to establish leadership in SiC-based power electronics. “Our investment in R&D is about creating scalable, innovative solutions that redefine how power is managed in EVs and renewables,” Kumar emphasized. This aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in critical technologies, especially as global supply chains face disruptions from China’s November 2025 rare earth export restrictions and the EU’s 27% tariffs on Chinese EVs.
India’s EV Surge: A Perfect Timing
India’s EV market is on a steep growth trajectory, with 1.2 million units sold in 2024 and an estimated 2.5 million in 2025, driven by models like the MG ZS EV and Tata Tiago EV. The PM E-Drive scheme’s ₹10,000 crore allocation for 72,300 charging stations, coupled with FAME-III incentives, is fueling infrastructure growth. However, the charging network’s 50% downtime (only 14,450 of 30,000 stations operational) underscores the need for efficient components like SiC wafers to optimize fast-charging systems. The L&T-Hon Young partnership could reduce EV powertrain costs by 20–30%, making vehicles more affordable and accelerating adoption in Tier-2 cities and commercial fleets, such as MoEVing’s 700 Tata e-SCVs.
Global Context: Countering Supply Chain Risks
Globally, the EV market is projected to hit $2 trillion by 2030, with China’s 54% penetration setting a high bar. However, China’s rare earth export curbs pose risks to global EV supply chains, making SiC a strategic alternative. The L&T-Hon Young collaboration mirrors efforts like NITK’s rare earth-free motor project, reinforcing India’s push for self-reliance. By producing SiC wafers in Taiwan, the partnership ensures supply stability, avoiding disruptions seen in India’s charger grid delays (up to 120 days for high-power setups).
Economic and Environmental Impact
This initiative positions India as a potential SiC manufacturing hub, creating high-skill jobs and boosting automotive exports, similar to Mahindra’s CKD plans in South Africa. Environmentally, SiC-enabled EVs could cut emissions by 1.5 tons/year per vehicle, supporting India’s 30% EV penetration goal by 2030. “This is a win for innovation and sustainability,” an X user posted, reflecting industry excitement. The partnership also complements India’s charger rollout (e.g., Pune’s 22 stations) and Karnataka’s 1,500-charger plan, enhancing grid efficiency.
The Road Ahead
By combining HYS’s manufacturing prowess with LTSCT’s design innovation, this partnership sets a new standard for EV power electronics. It not only strengthens India’s role in the global EV ecosystem but also paves the way for a cleaner, more efficient future in mobility and energy. As global demand for SiC surges, L&T and Hon Young are charging toward a greener tomorrow.
Image and News Source: www.eetimes.com
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