Major Automakers Pursue Rare Earth-Free EV Motors
Leading automakers are actively exploring alternative methods to reduce reliance on rare earth minerals in the production of electric vehicle (EV) motors. Currently, China has a stronghold on mining and processing the group of metals known as rare earths, which are crucial for producing permanent magnets used in EVs. However, recent motor designs have revealed that permanent magnets are not essential for the successful operation of EVs. Manufacturers such as Tesla, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, and BMW are all researching and developing motors that significantly reduce or eliminate the use of rare earth minerals.
Tesla, the frontrunner in the EV market, has already announced plans to remove rare earths from its upcoming EV models. Likewise, other automakers are actively pursuing new motor designs that steer clear of rare earth minerals. Nissan, for example, intends to develop innovative motors with minimal rare earth content and explore the possibility of permanent magnet motors that eliminate the need for these minerals.
One such breakthrough comes from German technology supplier ZF, which has developed an Electrically Excited Synchronous Motor (EESM). This motor closely matches the size and performance of permanent magnet motors, but instead utilizes electricity to generate a magnetic field. According to ZF’s Chief Technology Officer, Otmar Scharrer, this development plays a crucial role in reducing dependence on China. The company is currently in discussion with major automakers in the United States, Europe, and China to supply the motor and expects to begin production within two years.
Apart from China’s dominance in the rare earth market, the extraction and processing of these minerals often result in toxic waste that poses risks to both communities and the environment. By adopting motors that do not rely on rare earth minerals, automakers can contribute to more sustainable practices.
In addition to the environmental benefits, finding alternatives to rare earth minerals also allows for a more sustainable product, said Ben Chiswick, Director of Engineering Business Development at Detroit-based Drive System Design. The firm is actively collaborating with three automakers to develop rare earth-free motors.
BMW, which has made substantial progress after years of research, affirms that their latest motor development has proven successful without rare earths. Uwe Deuke, leading engineering efforts for BMW’s EESM motor, describes it as a significant achievement, as it provides a viable alternative for their next-generation EVs.
With concerns about China’s control over rare earth minerals and the environmental impact of their extraction, automakers are striving to innovate and create EV motors that are less reliant on these scarce resources. By doing so, they aim to enhance sustainability, reduce environmental harm, and establish greater independence from China’s hold on rare earths.
