Renault reshapes EV powertrains, considers Chinese stator supply

Renault is reworking its approach to electric powertrains and looking to team up with Chinese manufacturers. Reuters reports that the French carmaker has wrapped up a joint project with Valeo to develop an electric motor using rare-earth materials and is now seeking a more cost-effective partner from China.

The project, known as E7A, had been part of Renault’s plan to create a compact, high-output motor without rare-earth metals. Despite ending the collaboration with Valeo, the company intends to keep motor production in France, at the Cléon plant. At the same time, the stator—a core component—may be sourced from a Chinese supplier.

The move is driven by cost pressure: Chinese firms are offering markedly sharper pricing. Renault noted that no final decision has been made yet, but the option of a Chinese partner is being considered seriously. In today’s EV market, that pragmatism looks inevitable; keeping assembly in Cléon while buying in the stator could balance affordability with a visible industrial footprint at home.

The new 200 kW unit—25% more powerful than current Scenic models—will underpin Renault’s next generation of electric cars, expected by 2028. It will feature an 800-volt architecture for faster charging and use silicon-carbide modules from STMicro.

In short, Renault is doubling down on electrification, blending French engineering with Chinese efficiency to stay competitive where it matters most: cost, scale, and speed to market.