Dear Friends,

Trains are already among the most efficient ways to move people and goods. With silicon carbide finding its way into traction systems and auxiliary power supplies, they are becoming even harder to beat. I may be biased, I’ve been fascinated by trains ever since my first electric toy railway.

Find all my magazines from 2006 on in our free archive on bodospower.com. There is no better way to communicate. We all share one world. As a publisher I serve the world: one magazine, on time, every time.

Kind regards,
Bodo Arlt

Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., Semiconductor Division, and Siemens Mobility GmbH, Business Unit Rolling Stock, are strengthening their collaboration on high-voltage silicon carbide (SiC) technology for railway traction applications with the signing of a long-term agreement.

Building on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2022 and leveraging their complementary strengths, both companies are advancing the development, qualification, and industrialization of SiC-based power modules to support more energy-efficient and high-performance railway drive systems. The collaboration provides a framework for ongoing technical exchange and the evaluation of next generation SiC solutions for future railway platforms.

Advancing High-Voltage SiC Technology for Railway Applications: High-voltage SiC technology has already demonstrated its capabilities in railway applications. Traction systems equipped with SiC-based modules are operating in regular passenger service in selected Siemens Mobility projects, contributing to improved efficiency, lower energy consumption, and reliable system performance under real-world conditions. Based on these operational experiences and a well-established, reliable supply relationship, Siemens Mobility and Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., Semiconductor Division, continue to explore the application of advanced SiC module technologies in upcoming railway projects. Activities include the qualification of new module generations, optimization of system integration, and validation under demanding operating conditions typically required for high-capacity commuter and regional rail services.

Continuous Innovation in SiC Power Modules: Mitsubishi Electric’s latest generation of high-voltage SiC power modules incorporates ongoing enhancements, including improved semiconductor performance, reduced switching losses, and increased robustness. These developments support the continued evolution of traction systems towards higher efficiency, increased power density, and enhanced lifecycle performance. Both companies emphasize that the deployment of semiconductor technologies in railway applications follows rigorous qualification processes and project-specific requirements. The collaboration is embedded in Siemens Mobility’s broader sourcing and engineering approach, ensuring flexibility, reliability, and long-term availability for railway customers. Through their continued collaboration in complementary areas, Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., Semiconductor Division, and Siemens Mobility are helping to advance SiC technology as a key enabler of next-generation sustainable railway systems.

Continuous advancements in Mitsubishi Electric’s high voltage SiC module technology: Mitsubishi Electric’s FMF750DC-66A Full SiC module, used in earlier railway applications, has demonstrated stable and reliable performance in daily passenger operations. Building on this foundation, the new FMF800DC-66BEW Unifull™ Full SiC Power Module represents the next step in Mitsubishi Electric’s continuous SiC technology evolution and is currently being qualified for demanding railway operating conditions, as typically required for high-capacity commuter and regional rail services.

The updated module incorporates further developments in semiconductor and module design, including a new chip set, reduced switching losses, and increased current capability. These enhancements support continued improvements in traction system efficiency and operational performance. In this way, the FMF800DC-66BEW builds on the established design principles of its predecessor while further advancing SiC technology for future railway applications.

The new 3300V Full SiC Unifull™ Power Module will be exhibited at PCIM Expo starting on June 9^th, 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany. Find a preview of all power semiconductor innovations from Mitsubishi Electric at PCIM Expo and our related conference contributions here at a glance.