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Ola Electric got certification for its rare-earth-free ferrite motor, a major move in reducing dependence on critical minerals.
Context: rare earth magnets (like neodymium) are central to many EV motors but their supply is dominated by China, putting automakers at risk. Ola’s new ferrite design avoids that.
The deets: the motor was unveiled at Ola’s Sankalp 2025 event, with plans to roll it out in phases starting Q3 FY26. The company also continues to develop its in-house 4680 Bharat Cell battery alongside this motor push.
Ola’s new rare-earth-free ferrite motor replaces those with ferrite magnets, which are cheaper, more abundant, and easier to source.
While ferrite magnets are typically less powerful, Ola’s design and motor architecture compensate through smarter engineering and efficiency tweaks.
This means EVs can still deliver strong performance without relying on costly rare-earth imports, reducing both production costs and dependence on China-dominated supply chains.
Why it matters: this certification gives Ola a shot at supply chain freedom. It shields the company from magnet export curbs and commoditised imports, and could also cut costs over the long run.
EV makers globally are racing to reduce dependence on rare earths. China controls over 70% of rare earth production and 90% of refining so alternatives like ferrite motors could shift the balance of power in the auto sector.
