STMicroelectronics in Chinese collaboration on electric vehicle battery management
STMicroelectronics, IMECAS, and EPOCH plan to develop a battery controller using ST’s Smart Power (BCD) technology and the SPC5x automotive microcontrollers. The system will be defined in close cooperation with Chinese battery makers and carmakers to meet their market requirements for performance, quality, and reliability.
China is the largest NEV market in the world, with more than 500,000 such vehicles sold in 2016. Growth is expected to be dramatic, reaching two million NEVs in 2020, hence the deal. Battery-monitoring systems, along with related key technologies, including Silicon Carbide (SiC) for traction and charging, play an important role in securing the safe operation of the battery and vehicle while providing crucial information to drivers.
“Through the cooperation with IMECAS and EPOCH, ST is ready to contribute its technologies, products, and experience to China’s transition towards a greener and safer automotive industry. Our key components for all the main automotive applications, and especially New Energy Vehicles that include power technologies, smart drivers, microcontrollers, and control and connectivity solutions, will enable IMECAS and EPOCH to address the ambitious targets of the China 2025 program for the automotive industry,” said Marco Monti, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Automotive and Discrete Group, STMicroelectronics.
IMECAS is an R&D Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the largest state-owned national academy for nature sciences in China and develops chips and equipment for IoT, EDA and New Energy Vehicle industries. Their major research fields include highly reliable device and circuit, IC advanced manufacturing process, IC design technology, IC equipment, IC high density packaging, microwave device and Nano electronics.
IMECAS has set up EPOCH as an independent technology company that specializes in electric-vehicle battery fire-proof system solutions and is a technology leader in BMS chips for communication base stations.
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