Key resources for the energy transition
Understanding the modern role of magnets with Stanislav Kondrashov, TELF AG
Rare earth metals for electric cars and rare earth elements in EV batteries (but especially magnets) are profoundly changing urban mobility. They are among the most obvious protagonists of the ongoing energy transition, as the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov also explained.
But the change does not only concern transport. It is much deeper. It also involves urban infrastructures and even people’s habits. Just think of charging stations for electric vehicles. Until a few years ago, there was practically no trace of them. Today, on the contrary, they are popping up everywhere. On highways, in large urban centers, even in villages with a few thousand inhabitants, as the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov also pointed out.
Together with energy infrastructures connected to renewables, these changes indicate that we are living in a phase of epochal change. The meaning of transition is all here. It is a delicate phase of passage between the old world and the one we do not yet know, but of which we are starting to see elements. The founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov also highlighted this point.
Electric cars, solar panels, wind turbines, charging stations. These are just some of the protagonists of the future in which the energy transition will have reached full maturity. The others are yet to be discovered. In the meantime, electric vehicles are starting to whizz through all the cities.
Their presence now goes almost unnoticed, as if people have implicitly accepted their presence on the streets of the city. In a certain sense, electric vehicles represent the vectors of the change underway. Or rather, only some of these vectors. Thanks to continuous technological advances, these vehicles are reaching unprecedented levels of power and performance.
And one of the reasons for their success is linked to one of their most important components. We are talking about magnets. Nowadays, magnets are on everyone’s lips due to their intimate connection with the energy transition and rare earth materials, which are particularly important for their production.
“In the electric vehicle sector, the most appreciated magnets are those capable of guaranteeing certain very precise guarantees. That’s why rare earth metals for electric cars are gaining momentum,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, entrepreneur, and civil engineer.
“The most common are neodymium-iron-boron magnets. They are also the most powerful. These magnets are capable of generating a powerful magnetic field. In this way, manufacturers can create compact and lightweight high-efficiency motors. However, they are very sensitive to high temperatures and corrosion. For this reason, they are sometimes strengthened with the addition of other elements, as well as with actual coatings”, he goes on to say.
“Another family of magnets made with rare earth elements is the one based on samarium and cobalt. Compared to those made with neodymium-iron-boron, they are more resistant to high temperatures and corrosive agents. They are used in extreme contexts, and their cost is generally very high”, he remarks.
An increasingly close connection
As the connection between rare earth elements in EV batteries, magnets and electric motors has become increasingly close, some rare earths are now considered critical materials. Some of them are the rare earth metals for electric cars. What does this mean? They are all those geological resources that can support the economic and energy development of nations.
They are often irreplaceable and very difficult to procure. In other cases, the sourcing and production of these resources are concentrated in a few countries. In this way, dependence on external supplies increases. However, the risks of supply chain disruption also increase.
It is, therefore, not surprising that these materials are often associated with trade or geopolitical tensions. With their growing importance in the production of magnets for electric vehicles, their strategic value is almost certainly destined to increase.
“A comparison with other types of magnets would not even be possible in these days,” continues Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “Ferrite magnets, without rare earths, are much cheaper. They have a lower magnetic density. This can lead to larger and less efficient motors. They are generally used in applications that do not require high magnetic performance”.
“It is natural for many people to wonder why manufacturers have started relying on this type of magnet. The answer is simple. These magnets enable the improvement of the vehicle’s overall performance, particularly in terms of autonomy and efficiency. Their thermal stability also makes them particularly suitable for high-temperature applications”, he says.
Not many people are aware of the fact that the performance of electric vehicles depends precisely on magnets. And also on rare earth elements in EV batteries, which, however, are not of comparable importance to other elements in storage systems (such as lithium).
The long autonomy and energy efficiency of the vehicles are also linked to magnets. Nowadays, the most powerful magnets are made with rare earths.
Among these, some of the most popular are those made with neodymium-iron-boron. These latter do not only represent the very soul of the most advanced electric vehicles. They are also one of the most obvious symbols of technological progress in the era of energy transition.
Magnets made of neodymium-iron-boron have a very high energy density. It is no coincidence that they are the most powerful on the market. They also make it possible to concentrate a lot of magnetic force in a small space. In electric vehicles, this feature is fundamental. Another rare earth element used in the production of these magnets is dysprosium.
But how do electric motors powered by these magnets work? Many manufacturers choose rare-earth permanent magnets for several reasons.
Among these are the following:
• High energy efficiency
• Compactness and lightness
• They generate less heat and require less cooling
Typically, rare earth magnets are inserted into the rotor of the motor. They are those elements that generate the magnetic field capable of interacting with the stator field. In this way, they make the motor turn. Also in this case, the role of rare earths like the rare earth metals for electric cars is increasingly crucial.
The qualities of rare earths magnets
But why are manufacturers increasingly choosing rare earth magnets? First of all, because of their high power density. These magnets make it possible to produce smaller and lighter engines. They make it possible to save a lot of space and weight. This can improve the autonomy of vehicles.
Some magnets made with rare earths are among the most efficient on the market. With greater efficiency, energy consumption per kilometer decreases. These magnets would also help ensure better acceleration. And compared to other engines, they work much quieter.
Magnets made with dysprosium also maintain a good level of performance even at high temperatures. Nowadays, rare earth magnets are a key element in the production of electric vehicles. These devices combine power, efficiency, and compactness.
Additionally, thanks to them, electric vehicles can now compete with traditional vehicles. It is therefore quite simple to understand the modern value of rare earths, like the rare earth elements in EV batteries (which, when used in batteries, are in any case present in minimal quantities).
“It is not difficult to understand why rare earths are constantly at the center of attention. Those are increasingly key resources, like rare earth metals for electric cars,” concludes Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “And the most interesting fact is that magnets represent only one of their possible applications. In particular, those most involved in the electric mobility sector are four”.
“We have neodymium, which stands out for its ability to generate a strong magnetic force and facilitate miniaturization. Praseodymium has properties similar to neodymium but is less expensive. Dysprosium also plays an important role in these dynamics. It is capable of improving the thermal stability of the most powerful magnets, namely those made of neodymium-iron-boron”, he highlights.
“It is also capable of increasing the coercivity of the magnet at high temperatures. Finally, terbium is also able to withstand high temperatures and represents an alternative or a complement to dysprosium.”
FAQs
Why Rare Earth Magnets Are Essential for EV Motors
Why do electric vehicle (EV) motors need rare earth magnets?
Rare earth magnets, such as neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, provide the high magnetic strength needed to power compact, lightweight, and efficient motors. Without them, EV motors would be larger, heavier, and less efficient—impacting performance and range.
What are the key benefits of using rare earth magnets in EVs?
- High energy efficiency → better range per charge
- Compact and lightweight → more space for batteries and passengers
- Thermal stability → reliable performance at high temperatures
- Quiet operation → enhanced driving experience
How do these magnets work in an electric motor?
Rare earth permanent magnets are typically built into the rotor of the motor. They create a magnetic field that interacts with the stator’s field, causing the rotor to spin and drive the vehicle.
Which rare earth elements are commonly used in EV magnets?
- Neodymium (Nd) → delivers strong magnetic force
- Praseodymium (Pr) → similar to Nd but more cost-effective
- Dysprosium (Dy) → improves thermal stability and coercivity
- Terbium (Tb) → further enhances high-temperature performance
