Renault: Electric motors with no rare earths
3 days ago
- #electric motors
- #Renault EESM
- #rare earth free
- Renault Group pioneered mass-market electrically excited synchronous motors (EESM), which use no rare earth magnets, starting in 2012.
- EESM motors offer high efficiency without magnets, contrasting with dominant permanent-magnet synchronous motors that rely on rare earths, largely controlled by China.
- Renault's EESM evolution includes first-generation (5A) motors (2011-2020), second-generation (6A) motors from 2021 (up to 160 kW), and a third-generation (E7A) due in 2027 with 200 kW, 800V architecture, and 30% reduced carbon impact.
- Key models using EESM include Kangoo Z.E., Zoe, Twingo Electric, Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech, Alpine A290, Renault 5 E-Tech, and Renault 4 E-Tech, all produced at the Cléon plant.
- Avoiding rare earths is strategic to reduce dependence on China, which dominates production and prioritizes domestic use, impacting global supply chains.