Wolfspeed announces partnership with Jaguar Land Rover for chips produced at Mohawk Valley Fab site

MARCY, N.Y. — Wolfspeed, Inc. has announced a strategic partnership with Jaguar Land Rover to supply silicon-carbide semiconductors produced at the new Mohawk Valley Fab in Marcy for next-generation electric vehicles (EV) to deliver increased powertrain efficiency and extended driving range.

Under its “Reimagine” strategy, Jaguar Land Rover is transforming to an electric-first business with plans to become carbon net zero across its supply chain, products, services, and operations by 2039.

The company will use Wolfspeed’s silicon-carbide chips, specifically in the vehicles’ inverter, managing the transfer of power from the battery to the electric motors. The first Range Rovers with this technology will be available in 2024 with an all-electric Jaguar brand to follow in 2025.

“Wolfspeed is proud to partner with Jaguar Land Rover, supporting its bold commitment to electrify its iconic brands by using silicon carbide’s superior performance, efficiency, and range,” Wolfspeed President/CEO Gregg Lowe said in a news release. “The energy efficiency of silicon carbide will play an essential role as Jaguar Land Rover pursues its own zero-carbon goals, and as the world transitions to an all-electric transportation future.”

The partnership adds Jaguar Land Rover to Wolfspeed’s Assurance of Supply Program to secure the supply of this technology for future EV production needs. Wolfspeed will produce the silicon-carbide power-device solutions at its Mohawk Valley Fab, which opened in Marcy this past April. The plant employs more than 300 people with plans to employ 600 people by 2029.

The Jaguar Land Rover partnership builds on Wolfspeed’s existing relationship with the Jaguar TCS Racing team competing in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The team uses silicone-carbide technology to accelerate on-track efficiency and performance.

Wolfspeed announced in September it will build a $1.3 billion materials-manufacturing facility in Chatham County, North Carolina. Headquartered in North Carolina, Wolfspeed produces silicon-carbide wafers for components used in devices such as electric vehicles, fast chargers, 5G applications, and the renewable energy, aerospace, and defense industries.

Wolfspeed on Oct. 26 reported revenue of $241.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, up from $156.6 million the previous year. The company had a net loss of $26.2 million, down from a loss of $70.1 million the prior year. The quarter included $38.4 million in factory startup costs, compared with $8.6 million a year earlier.

The company forecasts revenue in the range of $215 million to $235 million, with a net loss between $83 million and $93 million for the fiscal second quarter.