Local Production of 800 V eDrive System Officially Launches
Canadian automotive supplier Magna has announced a contract with Chinese automaker Chery to mass produce an 800 V two-speed electric drive system at its newly established production base in Wuhu, Anhui. The system, with a maximum power output of 250 kW, is scheduled to enter production by the end of July 2026 and will be Magna’s first locally produced 800 V high-voltage eDrive system in China.
Diba Ilunga, President of Magna Powertrain, stated, "This new 800 V eDrive collaboration with Chery demonstrates how we support OEMs in advancing their electrification transition. This is not only a technological breakthrough but also a significant milestone for localized production."
Advanced Technology Enhances Performance and Charging Efficiency
The 800 V eDrive system is designed using Magna’s modular electrification platform, integrating the electric motor, inverter, and two-speed gearbox into a compact, high-power-density structure. Compared to traditional 400 V systems, the 800 V architecture effectively reduces resistive losses and allows for lighter conductors and smaller cooling components, further improving overall vehicle energy efficiency.
Magna noted that the system’s inverter will use silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors instead of traditional silicon-based IGBTs to meet higher voltage demands. SiC components operate at higher voltages with lower switching losses, enhancing overall system performance. Additionally, the two-speed gearbox design enables the motor to use a shorter gear ratio at low speeds, improving launch and hill-climbing performance, while switching to a longer gear ratio at high speeds optimizes highway cruising efficiency. This resolves the trade-off between power and efficiency inherent in single-speed reducers.