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E7A, the “next gen” electric motor developed by Renault and Valeo

Harnessing the expertise it has built in wound-rotor motors – which it pioneered in the automotive sector in 2012 –, Renault Group is taking the next step and designing a new motor that is in a class by itself worldwide, even more powerful and efficient, and uses no rare earths. This third motor generation is a team adventure with Valeo, which is contributing its stator expertise. This motor, E7A, is still at the prototype stage and set to debut in 2027.

26 October 2023 14:00

A breakthrough from France will bring about a more powerful, more compact and cleaner electric motor: Renault Group and Valeo are combining their expertise to create a new electric motor generation. As a result of the regular conversations between the carmaker and the equipment manufacturer, this partnership that started in 2021 soon grew into a co-development journey. They each pooled one key part (Renault Group the rotor, Valeo the stator) as well as their expertise in technology development and production. The are currently fine-tuning their E7A high-tech motor.

Rare-earths-free and environmentally friendlier

Renault pioneered electrically excited synchronous motors (EESMs) in production vehicles when it introduced ZOE in 2012. This know-how puts it in a position to supply an all-in-one architecture for the new E7A motor (to make it 30% more compact for equivalent power than the current motors equipping the Megane E-Tech electric and the Scenic E-Tech electric) and the rare-earths-free rotor technology (to shrink its carbon footprint by 30%). By using a wound rotor instead of permanent magnets, Renault is improving the engine’s output, securing its supply chain and avoiding reliance on countries that produce rare earths and magnets.

The E7A all-in-one electric motor: more compact and rare-earths-free

More power and efficiency

This third-generation motor will also help shorten battery charging times as the system will be built for 800 volts instead of 400 volts, the standard today. And the stator by Valeo will boost power and efficiency. The new E7A motor, as a result, will unleash up to 200 kW. It will also supply more power without consuming more electricity. And the E7A motor uses hairpin technology to assemble copper wires, a Valeo specialty since 2010.

At this stage, the engine is still under development. There are other stages to go through before it can reach serial life. The mass production of this new-generation engine will start at Renault Group's Cléon factory at the end of 2027.

Winding of a 6AM motor at the Cléon plant, where the E7A electric motors will be produced in 2027

Rié Yamane

Corporate Press Relations Director

+33 6 03 16 35 20

rie.yamane@renault.com

Juliette Faucon

Corporate Press Officer Industry & Sustainability

+33 7 89 27 09 92

juliette.faucon@renault.com

Renault Group is at the forefront of a mobility that is reinventing itself. Strengthened by its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, and its unique expertise in electrification, Renault Group comprises 4 complementary brands - Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize - offering sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to its customers. Established in more than 130 countries, the Group has sold 2.1 million vehicles in 2022. It employs nearly 106,000 people who embody its Purpose every day, so that mobility brings people closer.
Ready to pursue challenges both on the road and in competition, Renault Group is committed to an ambitious transformation that will generate value. This is centred on the development of new technologies and services, and a new range of even more competitive, balanced, and electrified vehicles. In line with environmental challenges, the Group’s ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040.
More information www.media.renaultgroup.com

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