Valeo is transforming its Étaples site in the Pas-de-Calais region into a high-voltage power electronics hub, a strategic move to bolster its role in electric mobility and French industrial sovereignty. The initiative, dubbed "Haute Tension 2025," was highlighted during a visit by France's Minister Delegate for Industry, Sébastien Martin.
The project involves a €40 million investment to convert the facility into a center of excellence for manufacturing high-voltage inverters, a critical component for electric vehicles. This investment is expected to create 150 new jobs by 2025, adding to the site's existing workforce of 450. The Étaples plant will produce next-generation silicon carbide (SiC) inverters, which offer greater efficiency and range for EVs compared to traditional silicon-based models.
This expansion is a direct response to growing demand from European automakers and aligns with France's broader "Réindustrialisation" strategy. By localizing production of these sophisticated components, Valeo aims to shorten supply chains and enhance the resilience of the European EV ecosystem. The move positions the Étaples site as a key industrial asset, supporting the French government's goals for technological sovereignty in the competitive electric vehicle market.