Volts

Making electric motors better

10 snips
Jun 11, 2025
Ankit Somani, co-founder of Conifer, delves into the revolutionary world of electric motors. Drawing from his entrepreneurial background, he discusses innovative efforts to create lighter, more efficient motors without rare-earth materials. The conversation highlights groundbreaking designs like axial flux motors and the potential of in-wheel technology for diverse vehicle applications. Ankit also addresses how modern manufacturing techniques can simplify production and enhance the adoption of electric motors, paving the way for a cleaner energy future.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Electric Motors Are Critical

  • Electric motors handle about 50% of the world's electricity but get surprisingly little attention in clean energy discussions.
  • Transitioning away from fossil fuels requires ever more electric motor applications across all sectors.
ANECDOTE

Genesis of Conifer Motors

  • Ankit Somani reconnected with a friend deeply experienced in motors to explore motor design from the ground up.
  • They realized to move beyond 5-10% electrification, a fundamental redesign of the electric engine was necessary.
INSIGHT

Motors Are Undervalued Technology

  • Battery technology has received thousands of times more investment and attention than electric motors.
  • Motors, while over a century old, still hold major unresolved challenges worthy of innovation.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app