Rare earths in electric motors: value starts with identity

Permanent magnets may contain neodymium and dysprosium, but vehicle motors do not all use the same technology or composition. Germany's BGR expects growing returns of rare-earth high-performance magnets while industrial recycling routes are still developing. Dismantling without identity and a recipient does not automatically create value.

Establish motor design before raw-material assumptions

• Permanent-magnet synchronous motors may contain NdFeB, with varying mass and alloy.
• Induction and electrically excited machines have different material routes.
• Motor, gearbox, inverter and cooling may be worth more as an integrated e-axle than as separated materials.
• Strong brittle magnets, HV and residual energy require qualified methods.
• A resource estimate without manufacturer, type or analysis data must not be sold as confirmed content.

Recycler decision process

1. Identify the e-axle through vehicle, OE number, plate and production period.
2. Assess reuse as a complete unit before destructive dismantling.
3. Establish motor design and magnet data from reliable manufacturer or analysis sources.
4. Calculate labour, safety, logistics and a specialist recipient's acceptance price.
5. Separate unit, rotor or magnet fraction only to agreed quality and packaging criteria.
6. Record mass, design, decision, proceeds and actual recovered fraction.

Fields for usable motor inventory

• Vehicle, OE/IAM number, maker, type and serial
• Machine design and integrated components
• New, used, testable, defective or for material recovery
• HV, residual-energy, dismantling and safety status
• Evidenced magnet type, source and uncertainty
• Mass, location, recipient, acceptance criterion and proceeds

This article is general professional guidance and does not replace legal advice. The applicable statute and the conditions imposed by your competent authority prevail.