The automotive industry is a key driver for power electronics. This is due to the special boundary conditions and requirements in automotive appli­cations like harsh and high temperature environments, high reliability, and cost pressure. The high production volumes on the other side justify the initiation of new technology steps.

The seminar covers automotive power electronics for high voltage drivetrain applications (hybrid traction, fuel cell and full electric vehicles) as well as for lower voltage applications like auxiliary drives for power steering, water or oil pumps, etc.

Results from the European HOPE research project will be presented which is funded by the European Commission in the 6^th Framework Programme. In the 2^nd part of the symposium, further research projects in Europe in the field of automotive power electronics will be presented.

Dr. Martin Maerz (Fraunhofer IISB) will chair the symposium together with Prof. Eckhard Wolfgang and Thomas Harder (ECPE).

All presentations and discussions will be in English.