Indian firms plot to break free of China rare earth control

Indian auto component and two-wheeler makers have devised a plan to break free from China’s stranglehold ‘on magnets: replace heavy rare-earth elements with light ones, or better yet, build magnet-free automotive motors.

- Ayaan Kartik

Sona Comstar, the country's eighth largest automobile parts maker, has developed new motors using light rare earth elements like cerium, samarium and neodymium, according toa top company executive. Ather Energy Ltd’s co-founder and chief executive Tarun Mehta, too, told Mint that the two-wheeler industry can move towards light rare earth magnets.

Meanwhile, Ola Electric's founder and managing director Bhavish Aggarwal informed investors on Monday that the company has developed magnet-free motors, which will be installed in vehicles whose deliveries will start in the October to December quarter.