Technical fronts in China: 48V powernet, L2+ prevalence, embedded dies

In this new article, Yu Yang, PhD, Principal Analyst, Automotive Semiconductors at Yole Group, shares firsthand insights from China’s fast-moving automotive ecosystem. The analysis highlights three major technology fronts reshaping mobility: the imminent adoption of 48V powernets led by Chinese OEMs, the rapid and widespread embrace of L2+ ADAS, and the accelerating validation of embedded dies. Drawing on Yole Group’s automotive expertise and market intelligence, this article decodes how these interconnected trends are redefining E/E architectures, electrification strategies, and competitive dynamics worldwide.

China’s automotive industry is no longer just a global leader in sales volume, but a hotbed of technological innovation driving the future of mobility. In the recent visit to China, Yole Group was impressed by the ongoing technical fronts including 48V powernet systems, the widespread adoption of L2+ ADAS and the accelerated validation of embedded dies, all representing the trends of E/E architectures, ADAS, and electrification.

After the initial breakthrough with the Tesla Cybertruck and with the supply chain incubating, the era of 48V powernet adoption is on the horizon. As summarized in the recent Yole Automotive 48V Powernet 2026 Report, we are seeing multiple Chinese OEMs pushing the upstream supply chain and actively working on the launch of BEVs with 48V powernets, rather than the conventional 12V.

The trend is jointly encouraged by multiple Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers worldwide. Given Yole Group’s focus on semiconductors, we have detailed the offerings of leading power management IC suppliers in the report, and, more importantly, the parts to be released in the coming years. Apart from the existing players, we have also had many fruitful discussions with multiple Chinese Tier-2 players who are working intensively across the multiple product categories defined by Yole. However, there are currently no off-the-shelf products, though products should be released soon.

L2+ ADAS, which includes functions like highway NOA (Navigation-On-Autopilot), autonomous parking, and memorized urban NOA, has been widely accepted in China since last year.

On the one hand, end customers are increasingly embracing driver-assist functions. During our stay in many big cities in China, we observed vehicles on public roads with multiple light-blue lights. This is a new practice in China, where these characteristic light-blue lights indicate that the vehicle is being driven by an autopilot systems; this is both a warning to surrounding vehicles and a sign of privilege. There are also multiple autonomous-driving ‘contests’ organized by officials and influencers that draw much attention, reflecting the focus of end consumers.

For OEMs, L2+ has also become a core differentiator. Some are working on their own proprietary systems, like Tesla, all the way to core semiconductors, again like Tesla. Some are teaming up with rising suppliers, such as Huawei and Horizon Robotics, with global players included. Adopting the L2+ trend is becoming a must for survival in China.

Apart from this L2+ hype for private cars, robotaxi services are also growing rapidly, jointly pushing the ADAS trend in China. This has also been closely followed by Yole and will be updated alongside the leapfrog progress in other markets in our Automotive Semiconductor 2027 report.

Embedded dies, a cutting-edge packaging technology that integrates multiple chips (or dies) into a PCB, effectively eliminating the need for interspaced modules, has been a hot topic in the electrical powertrain community in China.

With engagement across the supply chain, especially the local PCB players, prototypes are widely available to prove functionality. However, the challenge lies in durability over the vehicle’s lifetime, and the lack of durability and ruggedness testing standards makes it difficult to validate. Close cooperation between PCB players, who are likely to be the final manufacturers of embedded PCBs, and inverter suppliers or OEMs, is the key to success. For the moment, AQG-324 standards developed for power modules are being used to validate the new technology. As it usually takes a relatively long time to develop and agree on new standards, OEMs could make manufacturing decisions based on results from their private in-house validation process. Of course, the cost advantages of embedded dies also need to be proven over the coming years.

These three technical fronts, 48V powernets, L2+ ADAS, and embedded dies, are not isolated innovations but interconnected pillars of China’s automotive transformation. Together, they are driving the industry toward greater efficiency, intelligence, and competitiveness. As Chinese OEMs and suppliers continue to invest in R&D and accelerate commercialization, these technologies will not only reshape the domestic market but also influence global automotive technology trends in the years to come.

Stay tuned on Yole Group website and LinkedIn for future insights!

Yu Yang, PhD, is Principal Analyst, Automotive Semiconductors at Yole Group.

Based in Belgium, Yu is engaged in the development of technology and market products dedicated to mobility electrification, especially the automotive industry. Yu coordinates all studies and activities within Yole Group on the automotive industry.

Prior to Yole Group, Yu worked as a business development partner and R&D project leader at Punch Powertrain N.V. (Belgium), R&D project manager at Bekaert N.V. (Belgium), and doctoral researcher at IMEC (Belgium).

Yu Yang holds a PhD in materials engineering from Leuven University (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) in Belgium and a master’s in electrical engineering from Tsinghua University (China).

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Source: www.yolegroup.com