How Indian EV makers are racing to go rare earth-free amid China’s chokehold

Written by Pratyush Deep

Amid Chinese restrictions on export of rare earth minerals, some smaller Indian companies are working on indigenous solutions to reduce dependence on imports. Two Bengaluru -based companies — Simple Energy and Chara Technologies — claim to have developed electric motors that eliminate the need for heavy rare earth elements — critical components in modern EVs.

While Simple Energy reengineered the magnet-based motor to do away with restricted rare earth elements, Chara Technologies is taking a different route altogether — developing motors that don’t use magnets at all.

Simple Energy’s reengineered motors have already entered the market with the company reporting record sales in October. However, commercial deployment of Chara Technology’s motors in EVs are yet