Ampere, part of Renault Group’s electric vehicle division, and Centrale Nantes have launched the third phase of their joint research chair in propulsion systems, energy management, and diagnostics for electric vehicles. First established in 2016, this collaboration has focused on improving EV performance and reducing costs while maintaining safety, reliability, and user experience.
During the first two phases, the partnership resulted in 22 patents, 19 peer-reviewed publications, and 26 presentations at international conferences. Several control and optimization algorithms developed under the chair have already been integrated into Renault production vehicles, demonstrating the direct impact of academic research on industrial competitiveness.
Jean-Baptiste Avrillier, Director of Centrale Nantes, said the collaboration underscores the institution’s commitment to using research as a lever for industrial strength and energy transition. Nicolas Racquet, Head of Vehicle and Powertrain Engineering at Ampere, added that the chair accelerates the transfer of cutting-edge solutions into market-ready products.
From 2025 to 2029, the third phase, led by the LS2N laboratory (Centrale Nantes/CNRS), will pursue three strategic research areas:
- Enhancing EV range, efficiency, and driving comfort through design-stage integration of control and observation functions.
- Positioning the vehicle as an active grid asset via vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home services powered by AI-based optimization.
- Extending component lifespans through diagnostics, prognostics, and predictive maintenance.
Malek Ghanes, Professor at Centrale Nantes and chair lead, described this phase as an “even more integrated approach, where control, energy management, and diagnostics are conceived as a whole.”
The research chair supports the Erasmus Mundus Master E-PiCo+ program (2025–2030), an EU-endorsed initiative that trains international students in electromobility. Partner institutions include Centrale Nantes, Kiel University, UPB Bucharest, the University of L’Aquila, and CINVESTAV, alongside 18 industrial partners—such as Renault Group, Airbus, Mercedes-Benz, and Siemens—and seven academic affiliates worldwide.
Research activities are backed by advanced test facilities, including a 160 kW motor test bench unique to French academia, a multi-energy hydrogen platform, a 3 kW series-hybrid test bench, and bidirectional charging benches for V2G and V2H experimentation.
Key figures:
- Three chair phases through 2029
- 22 patents
- 19 publications
- 26 conferences
- About 20 dedicated researchers
- Four major test benches
Source: Ampere Cars News
