Japanese technology company Hitachi unveiled an electric motor that does not use “rare earths” – surprised – it is correct. The company come up with a motor that is aim to reduce costs and dependence on imports of the scarce minerals from China. The prototype 11 kilowatt motor which Hitachi started working on back in 2008 does not use magnets containing rare earths and is expected to go into commercial production in 2014.
The country has been seeking to reduce its dependence on rare earths and to diversify sourcing to cut its reliance on China, which controls more than 90 percent of global supplies and has moved to restrict production and exports. If do not know, rare earths are used to make a wide range of high tech products, including powerful magnets, batteries, LED lights, electric cars, iPods, lasers, wind turbines and missiles.
