Tesla introduced at its 2024 Investor Day occasion that it plans to deliver an electrical motor to market that requires no uncommon earth parts. Whereas this might not be a really large deal to most people, there are causes it issues. 

Most individuals who purchase an EV most likely do not even take into consideration uncommon earth parts, a lot much less even know what they’re or why they matter. Nevertheless, as EVs transfer into the mainstream, individuals lobbying towards them will go to nice lengths to quote their faults. There have been all types of EV myths and horror tales over time, a lot of which have been primarily based on false claims however disseminated by individuals with an agenda to push again towards the brand new know-how.

Within the case of uncommon earth parts, it might actually be greatest to not use them. They’re usually costly, troublesome to return by, and sourced and processed in areas like China. Because the US tries to maneuver away from counting on different international locations for materials sourcing and processing, uncommon earth parts are actually trigger for concern. 

There’s already loads of misinformation on the market about EVs and the usage of uncommon earth parts. Most frequently, the case towards electrical automobiles is targeted on the lithium-ion battery, its potential for hearth, the supplies it is fabricated from, how and the place they’re mined, and the checklist goes on and on. Nevertheless, in keeping with Electrek, whereas right now’s EV batteries do use important minerals, they usually do not comprise uncommon earth parts.

Uncommon earth parts are present in EV motors. Neodymium seems to be the most typical and is used for robust magnets, that are current in DC everlasting magnet motors. Different frequent uncommon earth parts in electrical motors are Dysprosium and Terbium. Presently, Tesla makes use of such parts in its DC everlasting magnet motors, however not its AC induction motors.

Tesla did not begin utilizing the DC everlasting magnet motors till the Mannequin 3 got here to market in 2017. The corporate shared throughout its Investor Day occasion that for the reason that Mannequin 3 first arrived, it has decreased its uncommon earth aspect utilization by 25%, all whereas rising the motor’s effectivity.

Shifting ahead, Tesla goals to proceed producing and utilizing a everlasting magnet motor, but it surely will not require any uncommon earth parts. The picture on the high of the web page reveals the next-gen motor’s “0” utilization. Tesla additionally shared the next slide displaying the present uncommon earths required for the motor within the Mannequin Y: