Supporting the Drive for Affordable, Sustainable EV Motor Magnets

The magnets in electric devices help to convert electrical energy into mechanical force, and vice versa, turning mechanical force into electrical energy. Magnets are used in a wide range of applications, from wind turbines and audio systems to refrigerators and vacuums. However, it is the demand for magnets in EV drivetrains that is driving an unprecedented growth in global magnet demand. They are an essential part of the vehicle and typically made with a high composition of rare earth minerals such as terbium and neodymium, which are expensive and limited in supply.

Magna hopes its collaboration can lead to further development of these Clean Earth Magnets, which could have similar or better performance characteristics to their rare earth counterparts. Additionally, being rare-earth free, Clean Earth Magnets would be more ecologically sustainable, have greater potential recyclability at the end of life, and would not be subject to the human rights concerns surrounding mining of rare earth minerals. These Clean Earth Magnets could also reduce the cost of EVs and speed their adoption by consumers. Finally, Clean Earth Magnets could be developed with locally available material rather than being dependent on global supply chains.

Our investment and collaboration with Niron Magnetics reflects a Magna core value: think big. Turning this core value into action has been a hallmark of my 25 years engineering clean powertrains and is present more than ever in my current role leading the development and coordination of Magna powertrain’s global engineering and future product portfolio.

Growing up in the industrial heart of Germany, an area that was filled with factories, smog and noise, I became committed early on to clean mobility. My career has been dedicated to playing an instrumental role in the development and launch of electrified vehicles, from different types of hybrids to full battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles. Earning a Ph.D. in thermodynamics from Bochum University in Germany turbocharged my passion for turning physics and chemistry into products and processes that benefit current and future generations.

Today, I encourage the Magna team and our partners to “do everything possible to make emissions impossible.” With every step we take, from EVs to Clean Earth Magnets, we are making progress – and making a difference.

To learn more about Magna’s approach to technology investments, visit www.magna.com/magna-technology-investments.