CES 2025 – Here’s the French processor that will make electric cars more efficient and less expensive.

Intel had a discreet French scent at CES in Las Vegas. On stage, Jack West, head of Intel’s automotive division, threw his arm in the air and presented a chip. However, there is no Intel logo on this chip. But a relatively unknown company name: Silicon Mobility. A company from Sophia-Antipolis was bought in January 2024 and which in early 2025 is giving birth to a chip that could give a big boost to its goal: electric cars.
The processor in question is called the ACU U310, which stands for Adaptive Control Unit. Because it is neither a CPU, nor a GPU, nor an NPU, but a special processor dedicated to energy management.

An “x-in-1” processor

Point of display management, autonomous driving or others: The Intel/Silicon Mobility chip takes care of something hidden, but oh so important for electric vehicles. That is, energy management.
The U310 chip, however, hasn’t come out of Intel’s hat in a year. “Silicon Mobility has been around for almost ten years and we’ve been working on this chip for a while now.” explains Mohammed Kelley, an engineer at Silicon Mobility for more than seven years. And given the complexity of the chip’s operating flowcharts, we understand that it took time to build this strange processor that Intel has x What is the brand called -in-1?

“An electric car has many microcontrollers, each of which has its own function.“, he explains.”Our approach is to design a chip that is more powerful, more versatile and can replace six of these microcontrollers.. The idea here is not only to do a better job – thanks to its greater power (read more), but also to save money. In addition to the fact that one chip replaces up to six, there are also ease of integration considerations.

“Current MCUs (microcontrollers, editor’s note) in the automotive world are not very powerful and cannot run very efficient algorithms.“, explains Mr. Kelly. “In contrast, our U310 can perform much more complex and intelligent energy management tasks. Thus, it optimally adapts the power of your intelligence engine leading to a reduction of precious battery percentage.”

In addition to this better control of the motor and batteries, its efficiency makes it possible to reduce the main energy consumption. “Take the case of air conditioning: in a classic vehicle, this function depends on an always-on MCU that always consumes some energy, even in winter when air conditioning is of no use. The same goes for the MCU in charge of heating which is useless in summer.explains Eng.

More efficient and/or cheaper vehicles

In addition to reducing costs associated with purchasing components, simplifying design and integration, the Intel chip also has the potential to reduce costs through cost savings.

Not just in overall engine consumption, but through small combined savings. Claiming up to 5% energy savings”At every stepthe Intel chip’s electrical control quality shows impressive bundle savings. By reducing cooling system size and weight by up to 50% and battery voltage by up to 20%, manufacturers can consider changing their offerings.

“Concretely, with the same engine, we can get up to 25% more efficiency. Or match the starting power with a 25% less powerful engine – and therefore lighter and cheaper.welcome Mr. Kelly. A potential lever for manufacturers to further reduce the cost of electric cars, which are still too expensive for many households. But before we see this chip in mainstream vehicles, the chip will first arrive in larger vehicles.

Stellantis is integrating it into its Formula E.

In addition to the chip being designed in France, there were also strong French accents during the video presentations at the Intel conference. Because the first manufacturer to announce a partnership with Intel is Leo Thomas, director of the FE program at Stellantis Motorsport. “Intel Automotive’s expertise is an added asset to our program and I am confident that working together will enhance our performance in the coming months. Formula E is a very difficult competition and we must find the best solution to stay among the leaders.“, he explained, which oversees the platform for the DS Automobiles and Maserati brands. Which, together with its French partner Motors (of which Stellantis is a 50% shareholder), will use the U310 in the inverter of the Formula E electric motor. .

But Intel’s chip isn’t destined to be limited to racing cars. A prominent automotive presence in France allows Silicon Mobility’s French division to speak directly with manufacturers. And Intel’s takeover was a boon for the company. “It is true that now that we are in the Intel circle, it has strengthened our reputation.“, Mr. Kelly admits. But from there to knowing which manufacturers and models can adopt the chip, there’s only one step that Mr. Kelly doesn’t take.”All I can tell you is that the conversation is ongoing.. But if you start to see cheaper electric cars from stellar brands (Peaugeot, Citroën, etc.) in the coming months and years, it’s possible that an Intel chip played a part in the price drop!