A New Step for Local EV Technology
Sona Comstar, one of India’s top auto component companies, has created and tested a new type of electric motor that does not use rare-earth materials. This ferrite-assisted synchronous reluctance motor is designed for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and light commercial vehicles. The move comes after China restricted exports of heavy rare-earth magnets, which caused disruptions in the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.
Most EVs currently use permanent magnet motors that rely on rare-earth elements like neodymium for high efficiency and compact design. China controls most of the world’s supply of these materials, making other countries dependent on its exports. When China limited shipments earlier this year, automakers began looking for alternatives to reduce import risks and production delays.
A Cost-Effective and Sustainable Solution
Sona Comstar Managing Director and Group CEO Vivek Vikram Singh said the company’s production of EV traction motors was affected in the first quarter due to the rare-earth shortage. In response, Sona Comstar developed this new ferrite-based motor, which removes the need for rare-earth elements. The company has successfully tested and validated the model for electric three-wheelers and small commercial vehicles.
The new ferrite motor uses widely available iron-based magnets instead of expensive rare-earth ones. Although ferrite magnets have slightly lower magnetic strength, the motor’s design is optimized to maintain good torque and efficiency. This makes it a more affordable and sustainable option for India’s growing EV market.
Industry-Wide Shift Toward Rare-Earth-Free Motors
Other Indian EV makers are also joining the trend. Ola Electric recently got government certification for its ferrite motor, while Simple Energy has begun commercial production of rare-earth-free motors. Companies like TVS Motors and Chara Technologies are also developing similar solutions.
By reducing reliance on rare-earth imports and promoting innovation, Sona Comstar’s ferrite-assisted motor could play a key role in India’s EV future. It represents a major step toward making electric vehicles cheaper, more sustainable, and less dependent on global supply chains.
