Renault and the CEA signed a strategic partnership in 2010 on the development of innovative batteries for electric vehicles and, more broadly, on sustainable mobility.
The partnership currently involves 200 people, two-thirds CEA, one-third Renault, working at the CEA sites in Grenoble and Saclay and Renault’s Technocentre in Guyancourt.
The results achieved by the R&D Laboratory of Renault and the CEA in new-generation batteries for electric vehicles have made it possible to enter the preparation phase for industrial production, to begin in 2017 in France, with the contribution of the South Korean battery manufacturer, LG Chem, a world leader in the sector.
By taking part in the installation of an LG Chem battery plant in France, Renault and the CEA are demonstrating the country’s ability to invest in innovation with a view to developing industrial partnerships with a global reach and giving rise to vital technology for future energies.
Commenting, CEA Chairman Bernard Bigot said: “The strategic cooperation agreement between Renault and CEA, begun in 2010, perfectly illustrates the effectiveness of close scientific and technical cooperation between a private company and a public organization, something we have been able to achieve. Creating economic value and employment, this model has enabled France to quickly take a leading world position in zero-emission technologies for automobiles.”
As part of a three-party Renault-CEA-LG Chem agreement, to be signed in September 2012, LG Chem will work on developing the technology of the new-generation battery, to be produced in France. LG Chem will in particular contribute all its industrial expertise in large-scale battery production.
For Rémi Bastien, Head of Research, Advanced Studies and Materials at Renault, “a carmaker such as Renault, with its strong ambitions on electric mobility, has to be able to harness the best talents to prepare tomorrow’s technologies and shape the future using the best available resources.”
With this goal in mind, Renault and the CEA are confirming the continuation of their strategic partnership for the benefit of the automotive industry and new industrial sectors working in innovation.
Renault
Renault, founded in France over 110 years ago, designs, develops, produces and sells a wide range of vehicles through a network of some 350 industrial and sales sites in 118 countries. The company’s comprehensive line-up of broadly affordable electric vehicles constitutes the flagship of its environmental commitment. With its zero-emission products and new-generation internal-combustion engines, the Group aims to become the most carbon-efficient carmaker. The average CO2 emissions of its European range will fall from 137 g/km in 2010 to 120 g/km in 2013 and to under 100 g/km in 2016. Renault stands apart today with its superior product and service quality, new approach to vehicle design, and commitment to affordable innovation.
The Renault group employs 128,000 people worldwide and reported net income of €42,628 billion in 2011, selling over 2.7 million vehicles.
Find out more at www.media.renault.com
CEA
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, CEA, is a public body working in scientific and technological research in five main areas: carbon-low energies; defense and global security; information technologies; health technologies; and the design and operation of large-scale fundamental research infrastructures.
The CEA brings its top-level fundamental research and acknowledged expertise to bear in collaborative projects with a range of academic and industrial partners. Harnessing the skills of 16,000 researchers and employees, it is a major player in European scientific and technological research.
Find out more at www.cea.fr
