Renault and Valeo announce next-gen E7A electric motor with no rare earth materials

Renault and car part giant Valeo have today unveiled a new electric motor they co-developed, which they're calling E7A. This is still at the prototype stage and is expected to enter mass production at the end of 2027.

The E7A uses no rare earths, and, according to Renault, "is in a class by itself worldwide", being more powerful and more efficient than current offerings (presumably current offerings from Renault).

For the development of the E7A, Renault contributed the rotor, and Valeo the stator. The E7A will be 30% more compact for equivalent power than the current motors in the Megane E-Tech electric and the Scenic E-Tech electric, and the fact that its rare earth-free will shrink its carbon footprint by 30%. Renault says that the use of a wound rotor instead of permanent magnets improves the motor's output and avoids reliance on countries that produce rare earths and magnets.

The motor will be part of an 800V system and the stator by Valeo will boost power and efficiency. The E7A will be capable of producing up to 200 kW of power. The E7A uses hairpin technology to assemble copper wires, which Renault says has been a Valeo specialty since 2010.