Nio's in-house developed SiC module saw its first C-sample roll off the line, marking a step closer to mass production, the module's production supplier said.

(Image credit: United Nova)

Nio's (NYSE: NIO) in-house developed silicon carbide (SiC) module has seen a milestone towards mass production.

The module saw its first C-sample roll off the line, marking a further step in the maturity of Nio's in-house developed SiC module and a step closer to mass production, the module's production supplier, United Nova Technology, announced today.

Nio and United Nova celebrated the occasion with a ceremony at the latter's headquarters in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, on March 29, attended by Nio's senior vice president, Zeng Shuxiang, and United Nova's general manager, Zhao Qi.

The SiC project has gone through a number of challenges and is now finally on the verge of entering mass production, Zeng said at a meeting of United Nova's supplier partners.

United Nova said it hopes to use the meeting to build an information exchange platform to promote the smooth mass production as well as delivery of this SiC project, according to its statement.

United Nova was founded in 2018 and listed in May 2023 on China's Nasdaq-style sci-tech innovation board, also known as the STAR market.

The company is mainly engaged in the research, development, production, and sales of MEMS, IGBTs, MOSFETs, analog ICs, and MCUs, and provides foundry solutions in areas including automotive, industrial control, and home appliances.

The company has become one of the largest foundries in China with production capacity for automotive-grade IGBTs, SiC chips and modules, and high-voltage analog chips.

On January 30, United Nova announced that it has signed a supply agreement with Nio for the production of SiC modules, and will be the supplier of the electric vehicle (EV) maker's first in-house developed 1200 V SiC module.

United Nova will help Nio build on its leadership position in the 900 V high-voltage pure electric platform, the chipmaker said at the time.

Nio's current models on sale are built on the regular 400 V platform, and its executive flagship sedan, the ET9, unveiled at Nio Day 2023 on December 23, 2023, will be built on a 925 V ultra-high voltage platform.

United Nova didn't mention the ET9 in either its January or today's statement, though the SiC module is apparently designed for the model. The Nio model is featured in an image accompanying its statement today.

Higher voltages help improve energy performance, and SiC chips play an important role in this. Nio has been using SiC chips for the past two years.

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