ROHM Unveils 650 IGBTs Achieving High-Power and Automotive Industry- Leading Low Loss Characteristics

On August 26, 2026, ROHM launched its fourth-generation 650V IGBTs, which are intended to offer industry-leading low-loss properties while still providing high short-circuit tolerance and meeting the requirements for automotive-grade reliability. This new product release enhances ROHM's range of power semiconductors and may assist equipment manufacturers in creating smaller, highly efficient, and reliable power-conversion systems for use in both automotive and industrial applications. The new components have a collector-emitter saturation voltage of 1.55 V and conform to the AEC-Q101 automotive reliability standard.

 ROHM has redesigned the device structure, the manufacturing process, and the edge termination in order to increase the current density and lower the losses. This strategy is mainly targeted at use in automotive electric compressors and high-voltage heaters supporting inverters in industrial equipment. Additionally, vehicles are moving towards higher-voltage systems and power semiconductors that can reduce both conduction and switching losses, promoting companies to improved energy efficiency.

Impact on the Automotive Motors Industry

The global automotive motors market size is calculated at USD 32.04 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 33.52 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 47.88 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 4.57% from 2025 to 2034.

According to Precedence Research, motor manufacturers are more concentrated on optimizing their auxiliary electrical systems and sales of electric vehicles. 650V IGBTs developed by ROHM will assist the automotive industry as it moves toward increasingly efficient electrified vehicles and higher-voltage electrical systems. They are particularly appropriate to use in electric compressors and high-voltage heaters to lower the conduction and switching losses, leading to better energy efficiency.

The high short-circuit tolerance and status as AEC-Q101 qualified meet the strict reliability demands of main powertrains and efficient power semiconductor components. The technology may thus help suppliers design small, reliable power-control systems to improve vehicle efficiency and possibly extend the driving range.

Impact on the Power Electronics Industry

The global power electronics market size was recorded at USD 51.00 billion in 2025 and is anticipated to reach around USD 89.17 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 5.75% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, as manufacturers look for more efficient power-conversion solutions without having to greatly increase the size of the system, these features have grown progressively momentous. ROHM's method shows that there is still constant innovation in silicon-based IGBT technology even though increase implementation of silicon carbide in higher-power applications. The new devices may bring about opportunities in a range of applications, including inverters, compressors, motor control, and power management.

This launch bolstered competition in the power electronics sector by bringing in a fourth-generation 650V IGBT platform that intends to strike a balance between low losses, current density, reliability, and short-circuit tolerance. The electronics manufacturers' focus on improvements in switching performance, thermal behaviour, and consistency is crucial as differentiators in the field of power electronics.

Impact on the Material Handling Equipment Sector

The global material handling equipment market size accounted for USD 259.44 billion in 2025, and is anticipated to hit USD 259.44 billion by 2025, and is expected to reach around USD 470.82 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 6.14% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, the rising demand for automated material handling equipment enables the use of the new 650V IGBTs by means of more efficient motor and compressor systems and inverter designs. The manufacturing facilities are focused on energy efficiency, miniaturization of equipment, and automation in a variety of industrial machinery, power semiconductors, compressor and power-conversion system through modernization strategy.

ROHM considers industrial motors and compressors to be vital areas for silicon IGBTs, because the need to lower conduction and switching losses can lead to lower energy consumption and superior system performance. Additionally, the ability to achieve a higher current density may allow for more compact equipment designs, and the short-circuit tolerance offers an extra dependability benefit in inverter applications.

Expert Opinion

From an expert perspective, the launch of ROHM's 650V IGBT is revolutionary in achieving a practical trade-off between performance, reliability, and cost in medium-voltage power applications. Even though silicon carbide devices are becoming more attractive for use in high-power EV traction systems. ROHM could increase inverter efficiency free of forcing manufacturers to redesign their systems to use different semiconductor devices by reducing both conduction and switching losses while maintaining short-circuit tolerance.

Silicon IGBTs are still very relevant for auxiliary automotive systems and for industrial machinery in emerging ecosystems. In my opinion, acceptance will depend on demonstrating performance under real-world operating conditions while at the same time keeping the total system cost competitive. The fact that the devices have obtained AEC-Q101 qualification equally improves their suitability for use in automotive applications in which reliability is a key factor. The greater opportunity is at the system by lower semiconductor losses could result in reduced cooling needs, improved energy efficiency, and may allow for more compact equipment.