Automotive

Tesla showcases rare-earth-free electric motor in Cybercab

The company claims the new drive unit is smaller and lighter, aiming to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

Updated Sep 4, 2026 · 20:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

Tesla presented a new electric vehicle motor designed without rare earth elements during a Cybercab event.
The automaker claims the motor is 18% smaller and 25% lighter than other top-performing units, though specific efficiency percentage improvements were not provided.
Eliminating rare earths addresses supply chain vulnerabilities stemming from China's dominant processing capacity and recent export controls.
Tesla has not yet disclosed the specific magnet composition used in the motor or confirmed production timelines across its wider vehicle lineup.

Tesla displayed a new electric vehicle motor at its Cybercab event, which CEO Elon Musk stated does not use rare earth elements.[Electrek]
Tesla claimed the new drive unit is 18% smaller and 25% lighter than other leading drive systems.[Electrek]
Permanent magnet electric motors typically require roughly one kilogram of rare earth elements like neodymium, which are heavily processed in China.[Electrek]
China recently placed export controls on rare earth processing technologies, increasing supply chain pressures on global manufacturers.[Electrek]

Tesla has not publicly revealed the exact materials used in place of traditional rare earth permanent magnets.[Electrek]
It remains unconfirmed whether or when Tesla will expand the new motor design beyond the Cybercab to its mass-production vehicle models.[Electrek]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.