Silicon carbide chips promise greater EV range

The auto industry is on the lookout for anything that can make electric vehicles more efficient. Suppliers including Robert Bosch and Vitesco Technologies are betting that more advanced silicon carbide microchips are key as electrification ramps up. According to Bosch, silicon carbide chips can help boost EV battery range by as much as 6 percent compared to a standard silicon-based semiconductor. That's why industry demand for this new generation of chips is expected to surge by about 30 percent annually over the coming years. Bosch recently acquired a California microchip maker, where it plans to invest $1.5 billion to convert its factory capacity to silicon carbide chips.