RENAULT

E7A: the new generation electric motor without the addition of rare earths

Thanks to the know-how acquired as a pioneer in the use of wound rotor electric motors in the automotive industry since 2012, Renault Group continues to move forward with the development of a new, unique engine with no equivalent on the world market, to deliver even more power and efficiency, without the use of rare earths. The third generation of electric motors is being developed together with Valeo, which is contributing its stator expertise. Named E7A, and still in the prototype phase, the new generation electric engine will be launched in 2027.

Through breakthrough technology developed in France, the new generation of electric motors is even more powerful, compact and green, created as a result of the union of the expertise of Renault Group and Valeo. Thanks to frequent exchanges between the French brand and the automotive component manufacturer, the partnership that began in 2021 quickly turned into joint development. Each company contributed its expertise and a key component to technological development and production: Renault Group with the rotor and Valeo with the stator. Now, this high-tech electric motor called the E7A is undergoing improvements and adjustments.

New electric motor presents even greener technology, without the use of rare earths... Since the launch of the ZOE electric vehicle in 2012, Renault has been a pioneer and leader in synchronous electric motors with wound rotor, also known as EESM (Electrically Excited Synchronous Machine). The know-how allows the brand to be able to provide a complete and integrated architecture for this new E7A electric motor. This technology is 30% more compact, but with a power equivalent to the two current engines that drive the electric Megane E-Tech and electric Scénic E-Tech models, in addition to the fact that the rotor does not use rare earths, allowing a 30% reduction in impact on carbon emissions. Opting to use a wound rotor compared to electric motor technology with permanent magnets, Renault's engine offers better performance, ensuring supply through the supply chain and still maintaining its independence in relation to countries that produce rare earths and magnets.

E7A electric motor has a complete and integrated architecture, which does not use rare earths - More power and efficiency... This third generation electric motor will also contribute to reducing battery recharge time, as the system voltage will be 800 volts, versus the current standard of 400 volts. Thanks to the stator supplied by Valeo, the new E7A electric motor will be more powerful and efficient, developing up to 200 kW, which means greater power without the need to use more electrical energy. Furthermore, the engine uses the copper wire winding system known as Hairpin, a Valeo technology since 2010.

The new generation engine is still in the development phase and other steps must still be completed until series production begins. Large-scale production is scheduled for the end of 2027, at Renault Group's Cléon plant.

In the image above, the winding of a 6AM motor at the Cléon factory, where the E7A electric motors will be produced in 2027.

by Mundoquatrorodas