Tesla generated significant attention during its recent Investor Day event by unveiling a groundbreaking initiative that could have profound implications for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The automaker announced an ambitious plan to eliminate rare earth elements from its electric motors.
As is customary with any Tesla announcement, social media platforms have been buzzing with discussions about this latest achievement in EV development. A Reddit user shared a link to an InsideEVs article in the r/Futurology subreddit, accompanied by the caption, “Tesla’s Next-Gen Electric Motors Will Remove Rare Earth Elements.” This post has received over 600 comments, with a mix of excitement and skepticism among participants.
This innovative electric motor represents a significant step forward for the entire EV market. Automakers are eager to reduce their reliance on rare earth elements, primarily because these materials are both scarce and expensive.
Moreover, there is a growing concern about China’s dominant control over the rare earth supply chain. Currently, China oversees nearly two-thirds of rare earth mining and 85% of the refining processes, resulting in volatile and unpredictable prices.
The most commonly used rare earth elements in EV motors include Neodymium, Dysprosium, and Terbium. Although these elements may not have been prominent on your chemistry periodic table, they have gained widespread importance due to their essential role in the magnets used in DC permanent magnet motors.
Tesla’s commitment to completely eliminating these rare earth elements has the potential to significantly reduce manufacturing costs, ultimately leading to more affordable EVs. This move follows Tesla’s recent price reductions, further encouraging consumers to transition to electric vehicles, especially considering that EV prices are projected to align with those of traditional gas-powered cars in the near future. However, the response from the Reddit community suggests that skepticism is prevalent, with one user advising, “The first lesson with Musk is ‘Don’t trust this guy’; I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it” echoes through numerous comments in the thread, reflecting the cautious optimism surrounding Elon Musk’s promises. Nevertheless, as one user aptly points out, “This subreddit is inherently speculative. If it solely focused on existing technology, it wouldn’t be r/futurology.