The aim of this research is to characterize experimentally and by modeling an electrically driven automotive scroll compressor. The experimental characterization is carried out through 13 tests at compressor speeds varying between 3000 and 5000 rpm. The DC/AC converter used to supply the compressor was characterized through a calorimetric balance, obtaining an efficiency that depends only on the compressor speed, ranging from 92.5%, for a compressor speed of 1500 rpm, to 97.5%, for a compressor speed of 5000 rpm. The experimental results are used to identify the parameters of a semi-empirical compressor model, which is able to predict with an acceptable accuracy the main outputs of the mathematical model: confidence limits on the exhaust temperature of +/- 1.0 K, on the refrigerant flow rate of +/- 2 g s(-1) and on the compressor power of +/- 60W. This model is then used to determine the compressor cooling power at different compressor speeds and condensing pressures. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.