Electric car: Renault and CEA develop highly efficient charger – 16.01.2023, 10:44

(AOF) – Renault announces that it is working with CEA on the next generation of V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technologies to be deployed by the end of the decade. This solution will reduce energy losses during conversion by 30% and reduce heating by the same amount, making it easier to cool the system. The new charger will also improve vehicle charging times and ensure battery life.

After nearly 3 years of research, the two partners have since developed a new electronic power converter architecture that is directly integrated into the vehicle’s charger and has been the subject of 11 joint patents.

The R&D teams have combined their expertise in on-board power electronics, particularly Gallium Nitride (GaN) or Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductor materials called “Grand Gap”: a new architecture based on the “Grand Gap” resulting components will soon be used in Renault vehicles to optimize network performance and will allow some of the electricity stored in batteries to be recovered to compensate for the intermittent nature of renewable energy.

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Key points

– the fourth largest car manufacturer in the world, founded in 1898 and existing under the Renault, Dacia, LADA, Alpine and Mobilize brands;

– Global industrial positioning with a turnover of 46.2 billion euros for more than 50% outside Europe and strong positions mainly in the following countries: France, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Belgium-Luxembourg, Romania, Morocco and Poland;

– Business model: placement in medium-sized cars, electric or hybrid cars due to the quality of the offer and flexible services;

– 15% of the capital (29.05% of the voting rights) by the French state, 15% by the subsidiary Nissan and 3.61% (5.88%) by the employees, to the board of directors of 17 members Jean-Dominique Senard , Luca de Meo Chief Executive Officer;

– Net debt reduced to EUR 426 million, balance sheet strengthened with cash reaching EUR 15.8 billion.

Challenges

– “Renaulution” strategy in 3 stages, whose goals will be updated in autumn 2022: Revival by 2023: brand autonomy, rationalization of platforms from 6 to 3, increase of revenue to 40% against “mid-range” offer 15% , +3% operating margin, EUR 3 billion in free self-financing / refurbishment / renovation through range renewal from 2023 to 2025: expanding the use of hydrogen in professional vehicles with a target of 30% market share in 2030;

– Innovation strategy focused on connectivity, services and electric vehicles: network of experts, innovation labs (California, France, Israel), electrification, data cyber security, etc. ReKnow University dedicated to the fields / partnerships: CEA and Moveo, Sysematic and ID4Car competition clusters / NeVeOS project for electronic architecture of vehicles / E-TECH hybrid technology and French carbon-free batteries / Renault Venture Kapital and Alliance Ventures venture capital and investment funds to support start-ups ;

– Environmental strategy aiming for carbon neutrality in Europe in 2040 and worldwide in 2050: €23 billion investment by 2027 and the goal of a range of fully electric private cars in Europe in 2030 through 5 common platforms / circular economy mobility Flins the plant;

– Positive product mix effect for revenue with the launch of Arkana, Jogger and Megane Electric;

– Towards the separation of electrical and “software” activities and heat drawing activities to be listed on the stock exchange.

Challenges

– Impact of semiconductor shortage: loss of 300,000 cars in 2022;

– Effect of raw material inflation replaced by commercial policy;

– Russia-Ukraine war impact: EUR 2.3 billion net loss from discontinued operations, but debt reduction;

– Rapid launch of Mobilize, which integrates mobility, energy, finance, insurance and maintenance services, targeting 20% ​​of sales by 2030;

– After stable turnover and a tripling of net profit in 1, excluding the impact of Russia

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Semester, 2022 targets revised upward: +1.5 billion euro operating self-financing and +5% operating margin.

A paradoxical performance

Data from EY highlights the performance of the world’s top 16 manufacturers as particularly strong in 2021. Although the average margin has fallen for three consecutive years from 6.3% in 2017 to only 3.5% in 2020, this margin was 8.5%. in 2021. This level is a ten-year record. However, the context was particularly tense for manufacturers facing unprecedented shortages of components. Global sales fell 14% in 2020, the year of the health crisis, and rose just 5% in 2021. However, last year players were able to reap the rewards of their efforts in their fixed cost structures. .