The move to eliminate expensive, rare-earth magnets from automotive traction motors is driving a wave of innovation in induction-motor technology.

Experts discuss whether limiting tailpipe emissions or mandating ZEV volumes is the most effective way to meet the Biden Admin.’s goal of selling 50% electric vehicles by 2030.

Nidec, a global leader in the production of electric motors, is gearing up to produce nearly half of the traction motors automakers will demand for BEVs by 2030. The Japanese supplier predicts most OEMs will switch to supplier-built motors as the electric-vehicle industry matures.

Is the ICE age over? Not so fast. Despite the sudden urgency to develop and sell battery-electric vehicles, internal-combustion-engine-powered light vehicles aren’t going away any time soon. During this monumental shift in automotive propulsion, automakers and their suppliers are pulling out the stops to reduce emissions and squeeze ever more efficiency out of ICEs as the century-old technology evolves in the age of electrification.

Wards Intelligence/LMC Automotive forecasts concur with global consultants AlixPartners that BEVs will claim about a quarter of the global light-vehicle market in 2030, far short of industry expectations.

Ford takes the next step toward electrification by building its electric motors in-house. The automaker says its Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center will produce an electric motor every 75 seconds starting this summer.