[Digital Today AI Reporter] Tesla said it has applied a new electric vehicle motor that does not use rare earths to Cybercab. On Sept. 4 (local time), electric vehicle outlet Electrek reported the motor is 18 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than an existing high-performance drive unit, and has improved efficiency.

Tesla unveiled the new motor at a Cybercab event held this week. Elon Musk (일론 머스크), the CEO who did not attend the event, later said on X that the motor does not use rare earth metals. Tesla previously said in 2023 it would develop a rare earth-free permanent magnet electric motor.

In electric vehicles, rare earths are mainly used in motors rather than batteries. Neodymium, in particular, is used to make strong magnets and has been widely used in permanent magnet motors. Tesla used AC induction motors that do not require rare earths in its early vehicles, but introduced permanent magnet motors with the launch of the Model 3 and later expanded their use to other models.

Permanent magnet motors are generally smaller and more efficient than AC induction motors. Such characteristics are important for small vehicles like Cybercab. Cybercab received certification for power consumption of 165 Wh/mi, and the new motor was presented as contributing to improved efficiency along with a small body, aerodynamic design and weight reduction.

Some also point out that the scale of the efficiency gains should not be viewed as exaggerated. EV motors are already highly efficient, converting more than 90 percent of input energy into rotational force. Tesla disclosed changes in size and weight, but did not present the scale of the efficiency improvement.

The bigger significance of the announcement lies in the supply chain. The burden of procurement is high because processing and refining are concentrated in China rather than because of absolute reserves of rare earths. As China recently tightened export controls related to rare earth processing, automakers have been put in a situation where they must find suppliers outside China or reduce usage.

Tesla has not yet disclosed what magnet material it used. For now, the motor has only been confirmed in Cybercab. Whether it will be expanded to other models remains an open question.