In electric vehicle motors, rapidly shifting magnetic fields spin a rotor made with magnets that contain “rare Earth minerals” such as terbium and dysprosium.
China accounts for a large percentage of the world’s rare Earth minerals supply, according to the United States Geological Survey.
And among those minerals used for EV motor magnets, China is responsible for about 90%, according to Niron.
The technology could also make EV motors less expensive, he said, but declined to say by what percentage.
Daniels would not say when GM expects to begin manufacturing EV motors using the new magnet technology.
Persons:
Niron, Niron Magnetics, Jonathan Rowntree, GM EVs, ”, Kai Daniels, Stellantis, Rowntree, Daniels
Organizations:
New, New York CNN —, Motors, United States Geological Survey, GM, GM Ventures, Stellantis Ventures, Volvo Car Tech Fund, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Sioux Community, University of Minnesota
Locations:
New York, Wisconsin, China, dysprosium, Minnesota, Sioux