Toyota has announced that they have developed a new semiconductor which can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid vehicles by 10 percent.
These newly developed semiconductors are able to consume only a tenth of the energy of those currently in production, while allowing the power-control unit to be 80 percent smaller. The rather impressive efficiency improvements are a direct result of less energy being lost through heat.
The semiconductors are used to manage the flow of electricity through the power-control unit. This unit connects the battery to an electric or hybrid car’s motor and generator.
The new technology utilises silicon carbide in the production of the semiconductor wafers. With the the use of this material, Toyota engineers have found a way to reduce energy loss caused by the dissipated of heat.
Toyota plan to roll out the new technology to its fleet of Hybrid cars by 2020.
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