Bosch Begins Silicon Carbide Sample Production at Roseville, Its First US Chip Fab
The $2 billion facility will produce commercial 200mm wafers in 2026 for EV powertrains and fast chargers.
Bosch has begun sample production of silicon carbide chips at its Roseville, California plant, marking the company's first semiconductor fabrication site in the United States.
What Happened
The German supplier acquired the existing wafer fab assets in August 2023 and kept all staff through the transition. Bosch is investing up to $2 billion in the facility, supported in part by federal CHIPS Act funding. The company has added cleanroom space and a manufacturing line specifically for silicon carbide semiconductors at the site, which employs more than 300 people with roughly four decades of semiconductor production experience for automotive and industrial applications.
Why It Matters
Silicon carbide handles higher voltages, temperatures, and faster switching compared to standard silicon, translating to lower energy losses and smaller components in EV powertrains. Bosch says its third-generation SiC chips deliver up to 20 percent higher performance while being smaller than the previous generation. The material is widely used in high-voltage EV traction inverters and DC fast chargers, making domestic production relevant for automakers seeking localized supply chains.
The Bottom Line
Bosch has shipped more than 60 million SiC chips since first-generation production began in 2021. Commercial chips from Roseville on 200mm wafers are expected to follow sample production in 2026.
