NOVELTY - The device has a hot circuit (1) allowing circulation of fluid, and a cold circuit (2) allowing circulation of another fluid at temperature less than that of the former fluid. Thermoelectric elements (3) generate an electrical current in the presence of temperature gradient. Fins (6c, 6f) allow exchanging of heat with the hot and cold circuits. The elements are in contact with the fins. The fins are associated into a pair of hot fins (20) and a pair of cold fins (19). An electrically insulated compressible material (11) is arranged between the fins of same pair.    USE - Thermoelectric device for generating an electric current in a motor vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The electrically insulated compressible material is arranged between the fins of the same pair so as to absorb the mechanical stress generated by thermal dilation of the tubes, thus preventing the thermoelectric elements from being damaged. The design of the thermoelectric device effectively generates electric current in a motor vehicle in the presence of variation in temperature. The thermoelectric elements are in contact with the hot and cold fins of same pair, thus establishing an effective thermal bridge between the hot/cold fins and the hot/cold tubes, and the hot/cold fins and the thermoelectric elements in an optimal manner without damaging the connection between the thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric elements are located between the fins provided with current circulation tracks, thus avoiding short-circuit between the thermoelectric elements.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The thermoelectric elements are constituted of positive type thermoelectric elements and negative type thermoelectric elements. The fluids are engine exhaust fumes and coolant respectively.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a partial sectional view of a thermocouple device along a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of fins.    Hot circuit (1)    Cold circuit (2)    Thermoelectric elements (3)    Fins (6c, 6f)    Electrically insulated compressible material (11)    Cold fins (19)    Hot fins (20)