United Nova said it will be the production supplier for Nio's first in-house developed 1200 V SiC module, helping the EV maker build on its leadership position in the 900 V high-voltage platform.
(File photo shows a SiC module. Image credit: Nio)
United Nova Technology, a Chinese automotive chip and module maker, announced that it signed an agreement today with Nio (NYSE: NIO) for the production of silicon carbide (SiC) modules.
United Nova will be the production supplier for Nio's first in-house developed 1200 V SiC module, helping the electric vehicle (EV) maker build on its leadership position in the 900 V high-voltage platform, the chipmaker said.
Nio will roll out battery swap stations across the country and will be fully upgraded to 1200 V SiC power modules to meet the demand of vehicle owners for supercharging and fast battery swaps, United Nova said.
The number of chips required for a new energy vehicle (NEV) is nearly 2,000, and United Nova is committed to providing Nio with a full range of technology products and services, it said.
In addition to cooperation in SiC modules, the two sides will also communicate and cooperate in the areas of sensing, connectivity and control, United Nova said.
Nio's current models on sale are based on a 400 V platform, and its executive flagship sedan, the ET9, unveiled at Nio Day 2023 on December 23, will be built on a 925 V ultra-high voltage platform.
Higher voltages help improve energy performance, and SiC chips also play an important role in this. Nio has been using SiC chips for the past two years.
United Nova is a company mainly engaged in the R&D, production, and sales of MEMS, IGBTs, MOSFETs, analog ICs, and MCUs, and provides complete foundry solutions in the automotive, industrial control, and home appliance sectors, it said.
The company has become the largest foundry in China with production capacity for automotive-grade IGBTs, SiC chips and modules, and high-voltage analog chips, it said.
United Nova is the largest and most technologically advanced MEMS foundry in China, it said.
United Nova was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. The company went public in May 2023 on China's Nasdaq-style sci-tech innovation board, also known as the STAR market.
The company expects revenue of about RMB 5.325 billion yuan for 2023, up about 15.6 percent compared with the same period a year ago, according to its earnings preview released earlier today.
The company expects its net loss for 2023 to be about RMB 1.95 billion, an increase of 79 percent compared with the same period last year.
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