The Importance of Rare Earth Elements in Technology and EVs

Electric vehicles are a big part of the green energy transition but some of their most critical components are made using rare-earth elements. These can be highly toxic and environmentally destructive to mine and refine, with politically-complicated supply chains to boot. Engineers and automakers like Tesla, GM and Stellantis are now racing to build motors that don’t require magnets made from rare earths, but they must figure out how to match the efficiency. WSJ mining and commodities reporter Rhiannon Hoyle speaks with host Danny Lewis about why countries and companies are finding alternatives to rare earths. Plus, Oak Ridge National Laboratory engineer Burak Ozpineci tells us where new motors could take the EV industry.

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Further reading:

For EV Startups, Things Are Going From Bad to Worse 

Rare-Earth Prices Are in the Doldrums. China Wants to Keep Them That Way. 

Lynas Bets on New Rare Earths Products, Breaking China Stranglehold 

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