Along with the battery, the electric motor is one of the key parts of an electric vehicle. In this regard, Renault and Valeo have entered into a partnership for the production of a 200 kW engine devoid of rare earths.
While the Mégane E-Tech Electric has just been released, Renault seems firmly committed to future trends. The diamond firm is now eyeing the side of the engine, which, along with the battery, is one of the key parts of an electric vehicle.
Today, the Mégane E-Tech Electric is equipped with a synchronous motor with a wound rotor without permanent magnets, which develops 160 kW (220 hp). Its successor should display a power of 200 kW (270 hp). Manufactured at the Renault plant in Cléon, it will be available from 2027.
This engine, devoid of rare earths as is the case with the current model, will be manufactured in collaboration with the French equipment supplier Valeo. To each his own specialty. If Renault has the technology of the rotor, a crucial moving part, Valeo is the specialist of the stator, a large fixed copper coil equipping an electric motor or an alternator.
Valeo’s future stator will see its copper density increased for greater efficiency. The objective is to produce an electric motor developing more power while consuming as little energy as possible.
Manufacturing a wound-rotor synchronous motor without permanent magnets is a complex and expensive R&D process. It must withstand both centrifugal forces at high speeds and heat. However, the absence of rare earths makes it less expensive to mass-produce. Today, BMW is the other manufacturer that has chosen such an engine, in particular on its i4 electric sedan.
On the other hand, the two parties did not communicate on the amount of the investments related to the development of this new engine. Asked by our colleagues from EchoesPhilippe Brunet, director of mechanical engineering at Renault, says: “We are not creating a joint venture, it is a pragmatic cooperation based on the exchange of know-how“. In this way, Valeo will not forbid itself from offering this engine to its customers, paying if necessary for Renault technology… (source The echoes — paid item)
This partnership between the two French giants is unveiled a few days after the announcement by Valeo of the acquisition, for 277 million euros, of 50% of Valeo Siemens eAutomotive, a joint venture created in 2016 with Siemens. Valeo Siemens eAutomotive, whose business is the production of electric motors, on-board chargers and inverters for electrified vehicles, will be integrated into Valeo’s Powertrain Systems Sector.