Green and in demand: Micromobility is growing worldwide

Traffic lights are red, horns are blaring, and two-wheelers weave past lines of waiting cars. While many major cities are bustling, traffic often appears to come to a standstill. This is exactly where the advantages of modern micromobility come into play: light vehicles such as e-scooters are flexible, space-saving, and above all environmentally friendly. Sustainable mobility solutions are increasingly being favored – by both consumers and politics.

To advance the development of efficient drive systems for micromobility, Brose has launched the research project MicroGaN. The project examines the use of gallium nitride power semiconductors in combination with conventional silicon-based power electronics. Silicon semiconductors are efficient and cost-effective, but at higher speeds they require more current than would be necessary. This effect is further intensified as the battery’s state of charge decreases and the battery voltage drops accordingly. The additional use of gallium nitride power semiconductors can intelligently offset this effect.

Better drivability and greater sustainability

What initially sounds like a purely technical improvement delivers a noticeable impact in practice: pulling away, braking, evasive maneuvers – with the more efficient drive system, we expect significantly better performance. This provides greater comfort for the user, especially during acceleration at same motor size, explains Dr. Thomas Börnchen, Project Manager in Central Development at Brose. Having worked on mobility solutions for over 25 years, he is enthusiastic about the new possibilities offered by the electrification of the drivetrain: Electric mobility wins with sustainable and material-efficient solutions combined with more and more green energy available, Börnchen is convinced.

You can read more about the additional benefits of “MicroGaN” here.