Ideal Power partners with third global carmaker for EV tech

Ideal Power Inc (NASDAQ:IPWR), a company specializing in innovative power switch technology, announced Wednesday its collaboration with a third major global automaker to explore the integration of its B-TRAN semiconductor power switch into electric vehicles (EVs).

This partnership focuses on the potential use of B-TRAN-enabled contactors, which could replace traditional electromechanical contactors in EVs.

"This represents another engagement for us with the world's leading automakers along with our previously announced engagements with Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) and a second Top 10 global automaker," said Ideal Power's President and CEO, Dan Brdar, while emphasizing the potential of B-TRAN technology in the evolving EV market, particularly for solid-state contactors.

These components are critical in EVs for high voltage applications, ensuring safety by isolating the battery, inverter, and onboard charger. The company also highlighted the advantages of solid-state contactors over their electromechanical counterparts, including faster operation, elimination of arcing, increased reliability, programmable settings, and built-in safety diagnostics. Moreover, solid-state contactors are anticipated to be more cost-effective in the long run.

Ideal Power believes that solid-state contactors could capture a significant portion of the high-power EV contactor market, which is projected to exceed $3.7 billion by 2025. The company's patented B-TRAN technology promises to reduce conduction and switching losses, simplify thermal management, and lower operating costs in various applications, including EVs, renewable energy, and industrial settings.