1000kmPLUS · Project

Scalable EV Powertrain Platform With 500 km Range and 350 kW Fast Charging

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Imagine if every car maker could pick from a universal "menu" of electric drivetrain parts — motor, inverter, gearbox, battery — that all work together, like LEGO bricks for EVs. That's what this project built: a plug-and-play powertrain platform using advanced silicon carbide chips that lets you mix 400 V and 800 V systems in one design. They proved it works by building a real Mercedes-Benz EQ car that starts with 500 km of range and charges at blistering 350 kW speeds. The goal is to make electric cars affordable enough for ordinary buyers by enabling mass production of these shared components across Europe.

By the numbers

500 km

Initial driving range demonstrated

350 kW

Ultra-fast charging power demonstrated

1200 V

SiC-MOSFET voltage rating

400 V / 800 V

Cross-compatible voltage architecture

Consortium partners

Industrial partners in consortium

Countries involved (AT, CZ, DE, FR)

Total project deliverables

Real-world driving challenges performed

The business problem

What needed solving

Electric vehicle manufacturers face a costly fragmentation problem: every new EV model requires bespoke powertrain engineering, preventing the economies of scale that would make EVs affordable for mainstream buyers. Without a shared, scalable platform for inverters, motors, and batteries, European automakers risk falling behind on cost competitiveness while range anxiety and slow charging continue to deter the mass market.

The solution

What was built

A scalable powertrain technology platform (SEPtop@SiC) using 1200 V SiC-MOSFETs enabling a cross-compatible 400 V/800 V inverter-motor-gearbox system, validated in a real Mercedes-Benz EQ demonstration vehicle with 500 km range and 350 kW ultra-fast charging across 3 real-world driving challenges.

Audience

Who needs this

Automotive OEMs developing next-generation electric vehicle platformsTier-1 suppliers manufacturing EV inverters, motors, and transmissionsSiC semiconductor companies targeting automotive power modulesEV charging hardware manufacturers designing 350 kW+ systemsFleet operators planning large-scale EV transitions needing fast-charge capability

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive OEM & Tier-1 Suppliers

enterprise

Target: EV powertrain component manufacturers and vehicle integrators

If you are an automotive supplier struggling with the cost of developing separate powertrain designs for every vehicle class — this project developed a scalable inverter-motor-gearbox platform using 1200 V SiC-MOSFETs that is cross-compatible across 400 V and 800 V architectures. That means one base design covers multiple vehicle segments, cutting engineering costs and time to market.

Power Semiconductor Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: SiC power module and semiconductor producers

If you are a semiconductor company looking to prove automotive-grade SiC-MOSFET modules at volume — this project validated 1200 V SiC-MOSFET power modules in a real vehicle demonstration with 350 kW charging capability. The platform was led by Infineon with 8 industrial partners, giving you a proven reference design and supply chain for automotive SiC components.

EV Charging Infrastructure

mid-size

Target: Fast-charging station operators and hardware providers

If you are a charging infrastructure company planning for next-generation ultra-fast charging — this project demonstrated 350 kW charging for everyday use in a real EV with 500 km initial range. The cross-compatible 400 V/800 V architecture means your chargers can serve a wider fleet of vehicles built on this open platform standard.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt this powertrain platform?

The project does not publish licensing fees or component pricing. However, since 8 out of 12 partners are industrial companies — including Infineon as coordinator — the platform was explicitly designed for cost-efficient mass production. Contact the consortium for commercial terms.

Can this technology scale to mass production?

Yes, that is the core purpose. The project was specifically designed to set up European mass production capabilities for EV key components: inverters, motors, transmissions, SiC-MOSFET power modules, and battery cells. The platform is called SEPtop@SiC and treats powertrain components as commodities, scalable as a function of required performance.

Who owns the IP and how can I access it?

IP is shared among the 12-partner consortium led by Infineon Technologies AG. As a Horizon 2020 Innovation Action, each partner typically retains IP for their contributions. Access to specific technologies or licensing should be negotiated directly with Infineon or the relevant partner.

Does this work with existing 400 V vehicle platforms?

Yes. A key design feature is cross-compatibility between 400 V and 800 V systems using the same inverter-motor-gearbox combo. This means existing 400 V vehicle architectures can adopt the platform without a full redesign, while also being upgradeable to 800 V for higher performance.

What was actually demonstrated and tested?

The project built a Mercedes-Benz EQ demonstration vehicle and performed 3 real-world challenges representing business and private travel use cases. The vehicle demonstrated ultra-fast charging up to 350 kW and an initial driving range of 500 km based on battery energy capacity.

Is this compliant with European automotive regulations?

The project was designed with European mass market entry in mind, focusing on quality, safety, efficiency, and costs. As an Innovation Action coordinated by Infineon with major automotive partners, regulatory compliance is built into the design process. Specific certification details should be confirmed with the consortium.

What technical support is available for adopters?

The consortium includes 8 industrial partners, 3 universities, and 1 research organization across 4 countries (AT, CZ, DE, FR). Based on available project data, the 15 deliverables cover the full value chain from semiconductors to vehicle integration. Post-project support would need to be arranged with individual partners.

Consortium

Who built it

The 1000kmPLUS consortium is heavily industry-driven: 8 out of 12 partners (67%) are industrial companies, with zero SMEs — this is big-player territory. Coordinated by Infineon Technologies AG, one of Europe's leading semiconductor manufacturers, the project spans 4 countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, France) with 3 universities and 1 research organization providing the scientific backbone. The Mercedes-Benz involvement for the demonstration vehicle signals that this technology has already been validated at OEM level. For any business considering adoption, the all-industrial-heavyweight composition means the results are engineered for production reality, not just lab conditions.

INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGCoordinator · DE
MERCEDES-BENZ AGparticipant · DE
VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V BRNEparticipant · CZ
MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AGparticipant · DE
OSTBAYERISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULEAMBERG-WEIDENparticipant · DE
VALEO EAUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHparticipant · DE
AVL LIST GMBHparticipant · AT
HUTCHINSON SAparticipant · FR
SAFTparticipant · FR
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DRESDENparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

Infineon Technologies AG (Germany) — reach out to their automotive power electronics division

Order a report on this consortium See INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the 1000kmPLUS consortium? SciTransfer can connect you with the right partner for your EV powertrain or SiC component needs.

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