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Tesla has announced that it will use a new type of magnetic motor in its electric cars to replace rare earth elements..
Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, revealed this week that its engineers are working on a new permanent magnet magnetic motor without rare earth elements for electric cars. Because of the difficulty in sourcing supplies and the fact that China accounts for much of the world's production, rare earth elements are a source of friction in electric car supply chains.
Understand better about rare earth elements and their use
The importance of rare earth elements is indisputable, especially given the current promotion by the Biden administration to encourage the production of materials for electric car components in the United States. However, there are still many misconceptions about what rare earth elements are and the exact amounts used in electric vehicles, such as those produced by Tesla.
In fact, rare earth elements are often absent from lithium-ion batteries. Electric car engines use rare earth elements instead of batteries. The most popular is neodymium, used to generate strong magnets for these electric drives, speakers and hard drives. Neodymium magnets often contain the additions of terbium and dysprosium.
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Not all electric car engines use rare earth elements and Tesla uses them in its permanent magnet DC motors but not in its AC induction motors. Tesla's models were initially powered by AC induction motors, which do not use rare earth elements.
Nikola Tesla, responsible for the development of the AC induction motor, is actually the source of the company's name. However, when the Model 3 was released, the company unveiled a new permanent magnet magnetic motor and subsequently began utilizing it in all of its other vehicles.
Tesla reduces use of rare earth elements by 25%
Recently, Tesla announced that by improving drivetrain efficiency over the past 5 years, it has managed to mitigate the use of rare earth elements by 25% in its new Model 3 drive units.
However, now it seems that Elon Musk's company is trying to combine the best of both worlds using a permanent magnet magnetic motor without rare earth elements. Tesla was vague when asked about the precise materials it uses, perhaps because it sees it as a trade secret it doesn't want to divulge.
However, the first number certainly represents Neodymium, and Terbium and Dysprosium could be the rest. Regarding the next magnetic motor for electric cars, the company's image indicates that it will not use rare earth elements.
Permanent magnets developed from neodymium have been the standard for such applications, but during the last decade research has focused on other possible materials that could take their place. Tesla has yet to reveal which one it plans to hire, but it appears to be close to making a choice, or at the very least, believes a better option will be found soon.
Tesla considering the possibility of buying Sigma Lithium
Tesla, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is focusing on Brazil, but not as a market for selling electric cars. In fact, the American company is studying the possibility of purchasing Sigma Lithium Corp, with lithium extraction in Minas Gerais.
According to information, Tesla has been evaluating the purchase of the mining company Sigma Lithium, which operates in the northeast of Minas Gerais, focusing on the production of batteries for electric cars. The main reason is the great global demand for lithium, essential for battery production.
