Xiaomi’s first car has silicon carbide technology from Bosch on board

China is the biggest market for e-mobility and new players are entering the field with innovative ideas. One of them is Xiaomi. The company is known as the third largest producer of smartphones. So, the move to bring its own car to the streets might have come as a surprise to some. In the overall development of the mobility sector, however, it reflects current trends in customer demands very well.

“Today’s customers are looking for much more than a vehicle to get from A to B. Connectivity, autonomous driving, and infotainment are playing an increasingly important role,” explains Zhenyu Huang, responsible for production, supply chains and procurement at Xiaomi’s mobility division. Xiaomi has accumulated years of experience in the electronics business and in programming operating systems. “Both are fundamental not only for smartphones, but also for connected cars.”

The SU7 from Xiaomi is a premium-class model. It was specifically designed to meet the changed customer demands regarding comfort and electronic features. The increasingly important role of electronics is also reflected in the cost composition. “At the turn of the century, electronics made up about 20 percent of a car's total cost. However, nowadays, this figure has surged to approximately 40 percent with forecasts suggesting it will account for half of the total price of a new car by 2030,” says Huang.

The vehicle manufacturer relies on just a few selected partners and suppliers – and Bosch is one of them. Some key components in Xiaomi’s first car model are from Bosch, including the integrated braking system as well as the battery management system for monitoring voltage current and charge status. Yet, there is another contribution from Bosch that can rightfully be considered the heart of the electric vehicle: the 400V e-axle with SiC technology is the core element of the powertrain. The solution combines an electric motor, power electronics, and transmission in one drive unit.

“Bosch has decades of experience in the automotive sector, in dealing with data, and in China embodies quality, innovation and reliability,” explains Huang. “Finding the most efficient way to calculate the load on the e-axle is integral to the art of engineering. And this is where we rely on Bosch.”

The semiconductor material silicon carbide, which is a crucial part of the e-axle, is especially valuable for improving electric vehicles. SiC chips use up to 50 percent less energy, allowing for a greater range and more efficient recharging. Bosch has been producing SiC semiconductors since 2001. Today, Bosch provides silicon carbide technology for the automotive industry on all levels – whether as chips, discretes, complete modules, or integrated into larger components from Bosch. As part of the e-axle, our SiC chips allow the SU7 and other electric vehicles to drive a significantly longer distance on each battery charge compared to conventional silicon chips.

Xiaomi plans to expand its collaboration with Bosch in the future. However, not only Chinese customers rely on Bosch’s expertise in electromobility. The need for more efficient and sustainable automotive solutions is on the rise globally, even if this shift is happening at different speeds in different regions.

This article is an excerpt from a story in the Bosch 2023 annual report. You can find the complete article here.