Proterial says using a special arrangement of an iron oxide magnet allows a neodymium magnet to be replaced in an EV motor. (Photo courtesy of Proterial)
SHUHEI OCHIAI, Nikkei staff writer |
TOKYO — Japanese metal maker Proterial has developed a prototype motor for electric vehicles that uses magnets that do not contain the rare-earth metal neodymium.
Neodymium magnets are the most common type currently employed in EV motors, but since the main source of the rare earth is China, stable procurement has been an issue.
