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Fully recyclable car motors without rare earths?

UK start-up Advanced Electric Machines has raised EUR 26.4 million to develop electric vehicle (EV) motors which do not need rare earth metals. The company says they are easier to recycle and are fully recyclable.

The investment round will also enable the company to start producing an EV motor that is free of copper. Reuters reports Advanced Electric Machines is targeting both passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

The Series A funding round was led by Legal & General Capital and Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital initiative, which invests in eco-friendly start-ups.

The company already has a rare earth free motor in use in electric buses and other vehicles in Europe, North America and Asia. Such motors can boost an EV’s range by up to 15%, according to ceo James Widmer. He wants to ‘unlock green mobility for all’.

The innovative semi-sinusoidal motor specs include:

  • No rare earth materials
  • No permanent magnets
  • High speed rotor design
  • Compressed coils
  • Wide speed range
  • Full motor recyclability
  • Lightweight gears

The notable benefit for recyclers has to do with the melting of metals. Copper and steel have the same melting point, for example, so it’s hard to recycle motors containing copper. Widmer says his company’s aluminium and steel motors can be ‘easily recycled’ after being melted in a furnace.

There is a growing number of legislators and OEMs pursuing ‘greener’ modes of transportation. Widmer therefore believes that 2023 could become the ‘watershed year’ for sustainable electrification.

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