Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched an indigenously developed 30 kW Wide Band Gap (WBG)-based Integrated Drive System (IDS) for electric vehicle (EV) applications in Chennai.
The technology has been developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing Thiruvananthapuram (C-DAC), in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Lucas TVS under the National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NaMPET).
About 30 kW WBG-Based Integrated Drive System
Key Features
- Power Class: 30 kW
- Based on Wide Band Gap (WBG) semiconductor technology
- Designed specifically for electric vehicle powertrain applications
The 30 kW power class is particularly suitable for:
- Compact electric passenger vehicles
- Fleet mobility platforms
- Urban mobility solutions
Developed under the National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NaMPET) that aims to
- Promote innovation in power electronics.
- Foster academia-industry collaboration.
- Build globally competitive and self-reliant technologies for next-generation mobility and energy systems.
What is Wide Band Gap (WBG) Technology?
- Wide Bandgap (WBG) technology refers to a class of semiconductor materials that possess a larger energy gap between their valence and conduction bands compared to traditional silicon (Si).
- While standard silicon has a bandgap of approximately 1.1 electron volts (eV), WBG materials typically range from 2.0 to 4.0 eV or higher.
- This allows electronic components to operate at much higher voltages, temperatures, and frequencies than silicon-based counterparts
- WBG semiconductor materials (such as Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride) offer:
- Higher efficiency
- Better thermal performance
- Higher switching frequency
- Reduced energy losses
These features make WBG technology ideal for high-performance EV drive systems. Strategic Importance
1. Reducing Import Dependence
Currently, a large portion of high-performance EV powertrain systems and critical semiconductor-based drive components are imported. Indigenous development will:
- Lower import dependency
- Enhance self-reliance in advanced power electronics
2. Boost to Domestic Manufacturing
The integrated drive system:
- Has been successfully designed, fabricated and validated.
- Is ready for commercialisation and large-scale deployment.
Localisation of production can:
- Reduce system costs
- Support scalable manufacturing
- Align with national initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) schemes.
3. Strengthening EV Supply Chain
Successful adoption of this technology will:
- Strengthen India’s EV ecosystem
- Create opportunities for MSMEs in:
- Power electronics manufacturing
- Thermal systems
- Control hardware
It will also enhance India’s global competitiveness in semiconductor-based electric mobility solutions.