Indian EV makers are racing to go rare earth-free amid China's export curbs, Pg 15

Key Highlights:

• Simple Energy and Chara Technologies, Bengaluru-based Indian companies, are developing electric motors that reduce dependence on rare earth minerals imports.
• Simple Energy has re-engineered magnet-based motors, while Chara Technologies is developing magnet-free motors.
• Simple Energy's motors, free of seven heavy rare earth elements restricted by China, are already in the market, achieving record sales of 1,050 units in October, a 215% year-on-year increase.
• Chara Technologies' magnet-free synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) is expected to be deployed in EVs starting next quarter, currently supplying to agricultural and industrial sectors.

Detailed Insights:

• The primary electric motor used in modern EVs, the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), relies on rare earth elements like neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium.
• Simple Energy's technology uses optimized compounds like iron, neodymium, boron, praseodymium, and holmium, managed by proprietary algorithms to match the performance of conventional systems.
• Chara Technologies has developed a SynRM motor specifically for EVs, overcoming challenges in matching the compactness and efficiency of magnet-based motors, with all materials sourced from India.
• China, controlling over 90% of global rare earth processing, has been tightening export regulations, restricting 12 rare earth elements in April and October, using this as a strategic tool.
• These efforts align with India's push for self-reliance in critical technologies and reducing reliance on specific nations for essential resources, enhancing long-term economic and strategic stability.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Rare Earth Elements: A set of seventeen metallic elements with unique magnetic and conductive properties, crucial for various technologies.
• Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM): An electric motor that uses permanent magnets to generate a magnetic field, commonly used in EVs.
• Synchronous Reluctance Motor (SynRM): An AC motor that does not use permanent magnets, relying on the difference in reluctance to produce torque.