Mineral Rites
Car and Driver|November 2018

Rare-earth Elements, Conflict Minerals, and Cobalt Are Crucial to the Ev Economy.

Bengt Halvorson
Mineral Rites

AN IMPENDING WAVE OF EVS from established luxury brands is about to crash ashore, and whether the vehicles are bringing Ludicrous-level performance, long driving ranges, and/or ultrafast charging capabilities, the irony isn’t lost on us that the traits that will help give them broad appeal may involve ethically suspect supply chains. The majority of EV models use permanent-magnet motors, which are smaller and more efficient than induction motors, the common alternative. But meaningful increases in motor performance will demand stronger magnets, which in turn will require more of one controversial category of ingredient: rare-earth elements.

This story is from the November 2018 edition of Car and Driver.

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This story is from the November 2018 edition of Car and Driver.

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