ELECTRIFICATION

CO₂-driven global warming is showing no signs of abating. We think that the widespread adoption of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs), and fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs), which produce lower CO₂ emissions than conventional engines can help resolve this problem. The replacement of conventional engines with HEV, PHV, and FCV powertrains is called “electrification.” Important components in these systems include batteries, motors, and the power control unit (PCU) that controls these components.
With the aim of facilitating the development of the next generation of HEVs, PHVs, and FCs, we are researching new highly efficient high-output motors, highly efficient low-loss inverters and converters, and the power semiconductors at the heart of all these components.