The start-up will be located on the campus during the five years that the Chair will operate. About 30 international researchers, engineers, professors, PhD students, post-Doctoral and Master’s students associated with teams at Renault will work on three scientific areas:

• Robust control of electric drive motors

• Control and management of on-board charging systems

• Optimizing the potential energy of hybrid engine systems

Renault has worked with electrification systems for several years. This Chair will be tasked with putting advanced propulsion system technologies in place in order to explore new avenues to optimize the performance, robustness, safety and costs of electric and hybrid engines.

—Philippe Schulz, Director of Design for Electric and Hybrid Powertrains at Renault Groupe

In the first half of 2016, 50,000 new electric cars were registered in Europe, an increase of 11% compared to 2015. France is the largest market, followed by Norway, where electric vehicles have a 13% share of the market. In this context of growth of electric vehicles, manufacturers are speeding up the development of their zero emissions vehicles. Pioneer of the 100% electric vehicle, Renault has already sold more than 100,000 units and is the European leader, with 27% of the market for electric cars and commercial vehicles.

Further to the research work, two new training program are available:

• Initial training courses for engineering students at Centrale Nantes or international Master’s students, dedicated to electrical energy and its generation, management and storage.

• Continuing training for employees of Renault Groupe specific to the control and observation of electric energy.