Renault: Electric motors with no rare earths
Article URL: https://www.renaultgroup.com/en/magazine/energy-and-powertrains/all-about-electric-motors-with-no-rare-earths/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48510010 Points: 257 # Comments: 68
Renault Group's range of all-electric motors
A pioneer in electric cars since 2011, Renault Group has made the bold and visionary choice to mass-market EESM technology.
The very first generation of motors was found under the bonnet of Renault Kangoo Z.E in 2011 and Renault Zoe in 2012. Carrying the part reference 5A, it had output ranging from 57 to 100 kW.
In 2020, the final upgrade of this powertrain arrived on Twingo Electric with the reference 5AL and output of 60 kW.
Renault Group's second-generation EESM motor came into production in 2021 with the reference 6A. Renault Megane E-Tech electric was the first model to ship with the new motor (reference 6AM), which was smaller, lighter and more powerful (up to 160 kW), in early 2022. It was followed by the Car of the Year 2024, Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric and most recently the first all-electric Alpine, Alpine A290.
Launched in October 2024 and Car of the Year 2025 Renault 5 E-Tech electric ships with a 6AK electric motor with output of 110 kW, as does Renault 4 E-Tech electric, available to order since March 2025. Alpine A390 features a totally innovative powertrain, unveiled in September 2025. It features a 6AM electric motor on the front axle (like Alpine 290) and a new twin-motor set-up on the rear axle. These three electric motors, all manufactured at Cléon have an estimated combined output of around 345 kw (approx. 470 ch).
Originally published on Hacker News (Best)
