Renault's new E7A electric motors with Chinese components

Renault has officially confirmed that it will use components from Chinese company Shanghai e-drive in developing its new generation of E7A electric motors. Assembly is scheduled for the French plant in Cléon, where the production line is set to launch in early 2027. According to the CGT union, the facility will have an annual capacity of up to 120,000 motors.

Renault explained that partnering with the Chinese supplier will help reduce costs and maintain profitability in the European market. The E7A electric motors are intended for compact electric vehicles set to hit the market from 2028 onward, which will be part of the 2026 model lineup cycle.

Shanghai e-drive already supplies electric motors for the Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric. The company noted that involving the Chinese partner helped cut the model's development time to under two years. Previously, Renault abandoned a joint project with Valeo to create a new electric motor and began searching for an alternative stator supplier.

The E7A will support an 800-volt architecture and deliver up to 200 kW of power, while also avoiding the use of rare-earth materials. STMicroelectronics will supply silicon carbide inverter modules for the new motor.

Renault emphasized that production will remain in France, but the choice of Chinese components reflects growing price pressures and the need for a more flexible approach to localization.