Bosch wants to become the market leader in chips

Stuttgart Bosch is setting the pace with fast charging and range chips. After several years of development, the world’s largest automotive supplier is now starting the production of power semiconductors from silicon carbide in Reutlingen. “We want to become the world leader in the manufacture of silicon carbide chips for electromobility,” said Bosch managing director Harald Kröger on Thursday. Numbers in the three-digit million range are planned.

It was only two years ago that Bosch announced that it would be entering the field of silicon carbide chips. However, it remains to be seen whether market leadership will be achieved. Large chip companies such as Infineon, ST Microelectronics, Rohm or Wolfspeed have been active in the increasingly attractive market for a long time.

In any case, the demand is high. The starting material silicon carbide – chemical formula SiC – is twice as expensive as conventional silicon. But the chips made from it develop only half as much heat and consume significantly less energy. This increases the range of electric cars.