Foto: Renault
The Renault Group has been pioneering electrically excited synchronous motors in the automotive sector since 2012. Now the Group is using its expertise to develop a new, even more powerful and efficient motor that does not require rare earths. The development partner is French automotive supplier Valeo, which is contributing its experience in the field of stators. The unit, named E7A, is currently in the prototype stage and is due to be launched on the market in 2027.
The Renault Group and Valeo have been working together since 2021. As part of the current development cooperation for the new electric motor, they are pooling their expertise in technology development and production of the two most important components: Renault Group is supplying the overall architecture and the rotor, Valeo the stator. The new high-tech motor will be stronger, more compact and more sustainable than current Renault Group electric motors.
Free of rare earths and more environmentally friendly
As a pioneer in electrically excited synchronous motors (EESM), Renault is responsible for the complete architecture of the E7A, which heralds the third generation of electric motors from the Renault Group. The new electric motor is said to be around 30 percent more compact than the current units in the Megane E-Tech Electric and the new Scenic E-Tech Electric, while delivering the same performance. In addition, the rotor technology will be completely free of rare earths, thus reducing the CO2 footprint in production by 30 percent. Renault uses a wound rotor instead of permanent magnets to increase the performance of the motor, secure the supply chain and avoid dependence on countries that produce rare earths and magnets.
More power and efficiency
The new E7A motor also helps to reduce battery charging times, as the system is designed for 800 volts instead of the 400 volts used today. The stator from Valeo also increases performance and efficiency: the unit delivers up to 200 kW and is therefore significantly more powerful than the previous generation of electric motors without consuming more electricity. The E7A electric motor will undergo further development phases until it is ready for series production. Series production will begin at the Renault Group’s Cléon plant at the end of 2027.
