EV batteries continue to be a source of concern for the automotive industry, especially because of the unsustainable extraction of their raw materials. However, one manufacturer has just discovered a new method that could revolutionize the roads by minimizing dependence on a controversial and scarce compound. This is the first rare-earth free electric engine, with unprecedented power and autonomy.
Rare-earth metals, esential for the automotive industry, but a reason for concern
Rare earth metals, specifically neodymium and dysprosium, have been highly sought after as they are key constituents of electric vehicle magentic motors and batteries. They came about as they provide greater magnetic properties that are necessary for the motors to be small sized and quite powerful.
The world marks the growth of China in 70% production and processing of those elements and they are located in Africa. Hence, the suppliers and automakers have sped up the efforts directed at minimizing or eradicate the dependence on rare earths heating in electric motors.
In the last few years novel technologies have verified their ability to provide these machines with rare-earth free electric motors and magnets. These innovations may have the potential to change the game and offer improved performances and slimmer costs thus contributing to the adoption of the EVs by many.
This is the new rare-earth free electric engine: a promising innovation
The Renault Group in collaboration with the automotive supplier Valeo designed a new electric motor, the motor called the E7A of magnetic materials, that does not have rare-earth metals and is meant for electric vehicles (EVs). The motor doesn’t consume any rare earth magnets.
In the testing procedure, the E7A motor performed with the same specifications like PMMSM produced rare earths like neodymium and dysprosium. The device could be relied upon as it could generate a power density of 5.5 kW/l which neared the maximum theoretical power for permanent magnet motors.
The original innovative method contains the coils in the stator as flux concentration is used by the rotor’s pondering shape to produce the magnetic forces. Consequently, the magnet coil is forgone and efficiency of the system is enhanced.
Renault is preparing to mount the front-wheel drive E7A motor on the new 2025 electric Megane by the end of the year. The enterprise has the amount of design continuously brought to the fore as the part that outperforms the levels of efficiency at unheard-of rates.
Automakers are seeking to reduce rare-earth reliance in the industry
Many of significant automakers are working on developing new metals that could be substituted for the rare earth metals in electric vehicles. Be it Toyota or Honda, Japanese car manufacturers are ones that have always been at the forefront of such EV initiatives.
Toyota Company has pioneered the development of substitute for rare earths in the electric vehicle motors by replacing them with more common elements, like lanthanum amd cerium. The manufacturer anticipates to start the production of those motors for its hybrid model cars in 2025.
Honda like Nissan is trying to creates lighter-weight, rare-earth free motors that can reduce up to 70% of heavy rare earth utilization. The firm being able to demonstrate the new motors in some of the hybrid cars it has is an indicative of a measure of success it has so far achieved.
It is clear that the first engine without rare earths in history will be an example of sustainability in one of the most polluting sectors of the planet. A value proposal to reduce dependence on China, emerging economies or African countries, with which collaboration to extract raw materials is always controversial, not only in the ecological sense, but also in the human and social sense, something that the sector is well aware of. "Source: ECOticias"
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