CoolGaN™ Bidirectional Switch Launches to Enhance Onboard Charger Performance
German semiconductor manufacturer Infineon introduced its new CoolGaN™ Automotive Bidirectional Switch on August 12, 2026, designed specifically for electric vehicle (EV) onboard chargers (OBC). This product combines Infineon’s proprietary Gate Injection Transistor (GIT) technology with a monolithic chip architecture, enabling high-performance single-stage charging architectures while maintaining system robustness and integration simplicity. It is suitable for both single-phase and three-phase onboard charging systems.
Infineon noted that traditional onboard chargers typically employ multi-stage architectures, which require multiple power conversion steps, increasing energy loss as well as system complexity and cost. The CoolGaN™ bidirectional switch, through its single-stage architecture design, simplifies the charging process and enhances overall efficiency. The product has passed automotive basic qualification, meeting stringent vehicle environment standards, including high-temperature operation, vibration resistance, and long-term reliability requirements.
GIT Technology and Monolithic Chip Design Deliver System Benefits
The core technology of the CoolGaN™ bidirectional switch is Infineon’s self-developed GIT technology, combined with a monolithic chip design, which effectively improves switching efficiency and power density. Infineon’s internal testing platform shows that the single-stage architecture delivers significant improvements in power density, efficiency, and system cost, though specific data has not yet been disclosed. Additionally, the bidirectional switch design allows the onboard charger to support both vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functions, further expanding the application scope of electric vehicles.
Infineon emphasized that this technological breakthrough not only reduces the overall cost of charging systems but also shrinks the size of chargers, providing automakers with greater design flexibility. Since the single-stage architecture reduces the number of power conversion steps, system energy loss and cooling requirements are also lowered, contributing to improved EV range performance.
September Conference to Showcase Technical Details and Application Prospects
Infineon will participate in the Virtual Conference on EV Engineering from September 14 to 17, 2026, to provide an in-depth introduction to the technical features and practical applications of the CoolGaN™ bidirectional switch. During the conference, Infineon will demonstrate a single-stage onboard charger platform, illustrating how the technology achieves high-performance results in both single-phase and three-phase systems. Infineon will also share improvements in power density, efficiency, and system cost, and discuss future mass production plans.
No automakers have publicly announced the adoption of CoolGaN™ technology yet, but Infineon’s automotive-grade qualification ensures the product’s reliability. Industry observers note that if single-stage architectures become widespread, they could help standardize EV charging infrastructure and accelerate the commercialization of V2G technology. Infineon stated that the CoolGaN™ bidirectional switch may also be applied to other power conversion systems in electric vehicles, such as DC converters and motor drives, further enhancing overall EV performance.
As the electric vehicle market continues to demand high-performance, compact charging solutions, Infineon’s CoolGaN™ technological breakthrough is poised to become a key driver of industry development. During the conference, Infineon is expected to provide more technical details and long-term reliability data, offering clear guidance for automakers and supply chain manufacturers.
