Semiconductor device including power semiconductor element, branch line, and thermoelectric conversion element, and electrically powered vehicle

An electrically powered vehicle comprising:

• a power storage device;
• a driving device receiving electric power supplied from said power storage device;
• and
• a motor driven by said driving device to drive the vehicle,
• said driving device including a plurality of semiconductor devices for converting the electric power between said power storage device and said motor,
• each of said plurality of semiconductor devices including
• power semiconductor element brought into an on state or an off state in accordance with a given command,
• a power line connected to said power semiconductor element;
• a branch line branched from the power line such that the branch line is electrically parallel to a part of the power line, and
• a thermoelectric conversion element electrically connected between a location where said branch line is connected to the power line and a terminal of said power semiconductor element to which said power line is connected, so as to cool said power semiconductor element using a portion of current supplied to said power semiconductor element.