Sensata Technologies Launches STEV Series High-Voltage Contactors for Electrified Vehicles
Scalable, customizable switching solutions enhance safety, efficiency, and platform standardization for EVs.
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Sensata Technologies has introduced its STEV series of high-voltage contactors, designed to meet the evolving requirements of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The new series delivers high-performance switching, robust protection, and flexible integration to support cleaner and more efficient transportation across a wide range of vehicle platforms.
High-voltage contactors are critical safety components in electrified vehicles, controlling power flow between the battery and key systems such as inverters and onboard chargers. Their reliability and efficiency directly influence vehicle safety, thermal performance, and overall system longevity. The STEV series addresses these demands by combining low contact resistance, reduced heat generation, and high short-circuit protection in a compact, modular design.
Scalable across vehicle platforms
The STEV series is engineered to scale from passenger PHEVs to battery-electric pickup trucks and Class 8 heavy-duty vehicles. This scalability allows OEMs to standardize a common high-voltage switching solution across multiple vehicle lines, simplifying development, reducing validation effort, and lowering overall system costs.
Flexible and OEM-ready by design
Built on Sensata’s proven switching technology, STEV contactors can be customized to meet specific vehicle and system requirements. The series is developed in accordance with stringent automotive quality and safety processes, including Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), ensuring readiness for integration into global OEM platforms.
“We don’t just manufacture components. We engineer solutions with our customers, adapting our STEV contactors to the unique demands of leading OEM applications,” said Markus Schwabe, EVP, Automotive and Aftermarket at Sensata Technologies.
Proven performance and protection
Sensata’s contactor technology is already deployed in millions of vehicles worldwide. The STEV series extends this legacy with continuous current ratings from 150 A to 600 A, short-circuit withstand capability exceeding 20 kA, and hermetic ceramic sealing for arc containment and environmental protection. Select variants offer IP67 ingress protection, bidirectional current capability, and high electrical isolation for safety-critical applications.
Global support for localized production
To support OEM regionalization strategies and supply-chain resilience, Sensata manufactures and engineers high-voltage solutions through a global network of facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia. This enables in-region production, faster localization, and reduced supply-chain risk.
With the launch of the STEV series, Sensata expands its electrification portfolio, providing OEMs with a robust, flexible foundation for next-generation electric and hybrid vehicle architectures.
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