EVs and More: European Partners Launch Own Semiconductor Initiative

Why It Matters

By accelerating power‑electronics innovation, Moore4Power strengthens Europe’s supply chain for EVs and clean‑energy infrastructure, reducing costs and carbon emissions while enhancing competitive advantage against Asian rivals.

Key Takeaways

• €91 M (~$99 M) funded by EU Horizon Europe for power‑electronics R&D.
• 62 partners from Europe target EVs, wind, rail with Si, SiC, GaN.
• Chiplet modular design aims to cut development time to one week.
• Digital Product Passport embeds lifecycle data for predictive maintenance.
• AI, digital twins accelerate design, boosting Europe’s semiconductor sovereignty.

Pulse Analysis

Europe is doubling down on semiconductor independence as the continent confronts supply‑chain vulnerabilities and rising demand for clean‑energy technologies. Moore4Power, backed by the Horizon Europe programme, represents one of the largest collaborative research efforts on the continent, pooling €91 million to push power‑electronics beyond traditional scaling limits. By uniting large OEMs, SMEs and research institutes, the consortium seeks to create a unified ecosystem that can rapidly translate breakthroughs into market‑ready components, positioning Europe as a credible alternative to the dominant Asian foundries.

At the heart of the project lies a More‑than‑Moore philosophy that fuses silicon, silicon‑carbide and gallium‑nitride with embedded sensors, control and communication layers. The chiplet concept enables modular, scalable designs that can be customized for diverse applications, while AI‑driven models and digital twins compress simulation cycles, promising a reduction from weeks to a single week from fab sample to datasheet. A standout feature is the Digital Product Passport, a wireless‑enabled data hub embedded in power modules that tracks operating conditions, health metrics and remaining service life, unlocking predictive maintenance and extending asset longevity.

The commercial implications are significant. Power electronics are the linchpin of electric drivetrains, bidirectional vehicle‑to‑grid chargers, offshore wind converters and high‑speed rail systems. Faster development timelines and higher efficiency translate into lower vehicle costs, reduced CO₂ footprints and more resilient energy grids. For European manufacturers, the initiative not only safeguards supply but also fuels the Clean Industrial Deal, reinforcing the region’s strategic push toward a carbon‑neutral, technologically sovereign future.