Re:Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
by jhgb on Friday April 23, 2021 @08:33PM
(#26920938)
> To clarify: rare-earths are required for the magnets in EV motors.
Not necessarily; they're just convenient, but not strictly required. Model S vehicles use induction motors and they seem to work just fine.
To clarify: rare-earths are required for the magnets in EV motors. Cobalt is rare, but not a rare-earth, and is used in the batteries. The supply of lithium and nickel may affect prices at high production volumes (widespread adoption) but is not currently a significant factor. Replacements for cobalt in batteries are the object of recent research; replacements for rare-earth metals in magnets have been sought for decades, with Fe16N2 and AlMn leading the pack at a treacle-esque trickle.