Report: Toyota working on new engines that don’t require rare minerals

According to the latest reports, it appears that Toyota is currently working on an alternative motor for future hybrid and electric cars. Yes, we know that this is not surprising, but the most interesting news is that these engines will not need rare-earth minerals found at risk of supply disruptions. The new engine is called inductive motor and it is lighter and more efficient than the magnet-type motor now used in its Prius.
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cohwang - 1/17/2011 2:18:28 AM

+2 Boost

China has 35% of the total rare material in the world, and the rest of the 65% can be found in Russia, USA, and the other countries. However China is responsible for 90% of the rare material production. Today China wants to reduce the production due to the environmential issue and the political issue. Russia and USA have the technology to produce rare material for their own use and for exports. Again due to the environment pollution, they don't want to take this responsbility. Toyota is doing the right thing that they don't want to rely on China and that they want to protect the environment as well.

cohwang - 1/17/2011 2:28:27 AM

+2 Boost

As of now, China had produced 30% of the 35% of the total rare material. There are still plenty of material avaiable in world. If Russia and USA are willing to produce it, the supply should not be a problem.

BD, please do more research before you post your comment.

Auto_expert - 1/15/2011 6:32:24 PM

-1 Boost

One word....HYDROGEN.... done.

Batteries don't impress me. A good portion of their portion has to come from the grid. And lithium? The vast majority of it resides in ONE country, Bolivia. Hybrids suck.