VALEO EQUIPEMENTS ELECTRIQUES MOTEUR SAS

Their core work

Valeo Electrical Systems is the electric motor and powertrain division of Valeo, one of Europe's largest Tier 1 automotive suppliers. They design and manufacture electric motors, power electronics, and energy management systems for electrified vehicles. In H2020, they contributed industrial-grade expertise in electric drivetrain components, from permanent magnet motor design (DEMETER) to full e-drive system optimization (OBELICS, TELL). Their role is consistently that of a large industrial partner bringing real-world automotive manufacturing scale to research consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 participation (2015-2016), Valeo Electrical Systems focused on hardware-oriented challenges: energy management in EVs (OSEM-EV), affordable electrified car components (3Ccar), rare-earth motor materials (DEMETER), and even cleaner gasoline engines (UPGRADE). From 2017 onward, their projects shifted decisively toward digitalization and system-level optimization — scalable simulation models for e-drives (OBELICS), advanced digitalization architectures (PANDA), and accelerating electric powertrain market adoption (TELL). This mirrors the broader automotive industry transition from component R&D to digital twin and system integration challenges.

Valeo is moving from physical component R&D toward digital modeling and system-level integration of electric powertrains, positioning for the software-defined vehicle era.

How they like to work

Valeo Electrical Systems participates exclusively as a consortium partner — never as coordinator — which is typical for large industrial companies that contribute manufacturing expertise and test infrastructure rather than managing research projects. With 96 unique partners across 20 countries in just 7 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia (averaging ~14 partners per project). This broad network suggests they are sought after as an industrial validation partner who can bring automotive OEM-grade requirements and testing to academic research.

Extensive European network with 96 unique consortium partners across 20 countries, built through participation in large-scale automotive and electronics research projects. Their reach spans the major EU automotive R&D ecosystems including Germany, Italy, Spain, and beyond.

What sets them apart

As a division of a global Tier 1 automotive supplier, Valeo Electrical Systems brings something most research partners cannot: direct access to automotive OEM supply chains and mass production capability. Their consistent participation across the full electrification stack — from rare-earth motor materials to digital twin architectures — means they can validate research results against real industrial constraints. For consortium builders, they offer a credible path from lab-scale results to automotive-grade products.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TELL
  Largest EC contribution (EUR 928,375) focused on accelerating market uptake of electric powertrains — bridges the gap between R&D and commercialization.
• DEMETER
  Marie Skłodowska-Curie training network on rare-earth permanent magnet motors — unusual for an industrial company to participate in researcher training, showing commitment to talent pipeline.
• PANDA
  Most recent project (2018-2022) on advanced digitalization architecture for electrified vehicles, representing Valeo's strategic shift toward digital engineering.