Valeo Étaples: at the heart of the ‘Made in France’ electric revolution

For over fifty years, Valeo’s Étaples site has been at the forefront of major transformations in the automotive industry. Initially specialising in alternators, it went on to become a European leader in 12V and 48V mild hybrid systems. Today, the site enters a new chapter in its history with the launch of production of high-voltage inverters, one of the most strategic technologies in electric vehicles.

This development confirms, more than ever, the role of the Étaples site in Valeo’s electrification strategy.

From long-standing expertise to cutting-edge electrification

Based in the Pas-de-Calais region since the 1970s, the Étaples site has built its reputation on recognised expertise in automotive electrical machinery.

For decades, the alternators produced at the site have equipped millions of vehicles across Europe.

When the automotive industry began its transition towards solutions with lower CO₂ emissions, the site was able to capitalize on this long-standing expertise to support the emergence of electrification technologies.

A first major transformation took place as early as 2004 with the development of 12V starter-alternators, introducing the Stop-Start function which switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationary to reduce fuel consumption.

The site then reached a new milestone in 2018 with the launch of 48V technology. Designed for mild-hybrid systems, this innovation goes a step further: it enables energy recovery during braking, assists the engine during acceleration and significantly improves the overall energy efficiency of vehicles.

The 48V systems produced at Étaples are also used to power small urban electric vehicles, a rapidly expanding market, such as Citroën’s AMI.

Today, more than 6 million 12V and 48V electric motors are produced each year at the site, making Étaples one of the Group’s key industrial centres in this field.

A new milestone: the arrival of high-voltage technology

2026 marks a historic turning point.

Valeo Étaples is launching production of its first high-voltage electrification technologies with the industrialisation of inverters for next-generation electric vehicles.

The site has secured its first contracts, with production set to begin as early as 2026 for electric commercial vehicles, and from 2027 for passenger cars.

For the site’s 1,200 employees, this milestone represents much more than just a new product.

It symbolises the culmination of several years of industrial and technological transformation.

“This is a source of immense pride for all the site’s employees,” says Benoît Huet, Site Director. “This transformation makes Étaples Valeo’s French centre of excellence for this strategic technology.”

Often called the ‘brain’ of an electric vehicle, the power inverter plays a vital role. This intelligent device, which combines embedded software and power electronics, converts energy from the battery to power the electric motor, precisely controls the power output and continuously optimises the vehicle’s performance.

Its importance is such that it directly determines the vehicle’s range, energy efficiency and driving performance.

With the new 400V and 800V architectures becoming standard in the latest electric vehicles, the power inverter has become one of the most strategic components in the entire electric powertrain.

From 12V to 800V: comprehensive expertise in electrification

What makes the Étaples site unique within the group today is its ability to cover the entire spectrum of electrification technologies.

From traditional 12V systems to 48V mild hybrid solutions, right through to 400V and 800V high-voltage technologies, the site now has expertise in all the major electrical architectures found in modern vehicles.

This technological continuity illustrates the site’s ability to constantly evolve to meet the needs of the automotive industry.

Innovation and industry united on a single site

Étaples’ transformation is also underpinned by a model that is its strength: the constant integration of innovation and production.

“The site is now home to 120 R&D and project specialists, working in close proximity to the production teams,” explains Benoît Huet.

This proximity helps to accelerate the transition from innovation to industrialisation, while ensuring a high level of technological expertise.

This transformation is also underpinned by strong cooperation between several of the group’s French manufacturing sites.

In particular, the inverters assembled at Étaples incorporate sub-components produced at Valeo’s sites in Abbeville, Sainte-Florine and Sablé-sur-Sarthe.

This synergy illustrates the ability of Valeo’s French sites to pool their expertise to develop cutting-edge technologies and strengthen the group’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing global market.

Faced with ever-increasing international competition, the challenge is clear: to maintain the Group’s French manufacturing sites at the very highest technological and industrial standards.

Building the mobility of tomorrow

The history of Valeo Étaples is one of successful transformation.

From a long-established site specialising in alternators, it has become a major player in mild hybridisation. Today, with the arrival of high-voltage inverters, it is fully entering the era of the electric vehicle. This development confirms the site’s strategic role in the Group’s electrification ambitions.

In Étaples, the future of the electric car is not just being prepared, it is already being manufactured.