For E.V.’s and Hybrids, a Free-Spinning Alternative to Rare Earths

I thought this was still in the research lab, but apparently not. How does the efficiency compare to a rare-earth magnet motor?

 

if it was viable and competitive, it would already be in production

 

Well, it sounds like the Chinese are going to make it viable by making rare earth magnets too expensive.

 

not really, you got new mines in south america and australia opening up... Toyota also started JV with two mining companies to secure the materials.

Now, would they go through all of that if alternatives were viable? I dont think so.

 

... and existing mines here reopening.

When the metal prices return to realistic levels, the supplies shuttered by cheap Chinese competition should get back into business.

 

Aside from production costs and manufacturing,

If you had a rare-earth motor and a non-rare-earth motor working side by side, how does the operating efficiency compare between the two motor types?

 

Perhaps manufacturers are reluctant for other reasons.

 

Going by the comments at the end of the linked article (which are certain to be accurate and reliable, right?) they're a little heavier and a little less efficient than rare-earth motors. They're already common in a lot of stationary or slow-moving applications like washing machines and construction equipment.

 

when prices go up they have a tendency to never come back down

 

I'm not sure I'm following the path of this conversation, but everybody does know Tesla does NOT use permanent magnet motors? Nor is there going to be one on their new Model S.

They use 3-phase AC induction motors. One of the reasons Toyota invested in them.

 

I didn't know that, actually. Either Tesla knows something I don't (very likely at this point) or they don't want to be dependent on importing exotic materials.