Numeros Motors, a Bangalore-based electric vehicle manufacturer, has established a research collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar to develop rare earth-free motor technologies for electric vehicles, according to a joint announcement made Tuesday.
The two-year research initiative will focus on exploring non-magnet motor designs that can reduce dependence on rare earth materials, which are critical components in traditional electric vehicle motors but often environmentally problematic to extract and process.
Shreyas Shibulal, Founder and CEO of Numeros Motors, emphasized that the partnership aligns with the company's mission to transform India's electric mobility landscape through indigenous innovation. "We believe that rare earth-free motor technologies will play a crucial role in building sustainable, affordable, and truly indigenous EVs," Shibulal said.
Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, noted that industry-academia collaboration is a primary focus area for the institution. The research will be conducted in part at the Research and Entrepreneurship Park of IIT Bhubaneswar.
Dr. Ankit Dalal, Assistant Professor at the Electrical Engineering Department of IIT Bhubaneswar, will lead the academic side of the research. "This partnership represents a shared commitment to sustainable innovation and cutting-edge engineering," Dr. Dalal stated.
The collaboration comes at a time when global supply chains for rare earth minerals face increasing scrutiny due to geopolitical tensions and environmental concerns. China currently dominates the global rare earth materials market, controlling approximately 85% of the world's processing capacity for these minerals.
Founded in 2019, Numeros Motors has established itself as an emerging player in India's electric mobility sector. The company has completed extensive pilot testing, covering over 13.9 million kilometers with its electric two-wheelers. Numeros currently operates from a 20,000 square foot facility in Narasapura near Bangalore, with an annual production capacity exceeding 70,000 units.
India's electric vehicle market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 40% through 2030, according to industry analysts. The government has implemented various initiatives, including the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, to accelerate EV adoption nationwide.
The development of rare earth-free motors could potentially reduce production costs for electric vehicles in India while decreasing reliance on imports of critical minerals, supporting both environmental sustainability and economic self-reliance goals.