Ola Electric Receives Government Certification for Ferrite Motor

Ola Electric has received government certification for its in-house developed ferrite motor, becoming the first two-wheeler electric vehicle manufacturer in India to achieve this milestone for a motor that does not use rare-earth elements.

The certification was granted by the Global Automotive Research Centre in Tamil Nadu following performance verification and mandatory motor power tests conducted according to AIS 041 standards, which are notified by the Ministry of Road Transport, Government of India.

According to the company, the ferrite motor delivers performance comparable to motors using rare-earth permanent magnets. Test results showed that the ferrite motor matched the net power output of rare-earth permanent magnet motors in both 7kW and 11kW variants.

The development addresses supply chain concerns associated with rare-earth elements, which are primarily imported. Ferrite magnets offer an alternative that the company says provides similar efficiency, performance, and durability while potentially reducing costs and supply chain dependencies.

Ola Electric first unveiled the ferrite motor technology at its "Sankalp 2025" event in August this year. With the certification now secured, the company plans to integrate the ferrite motor across its product lineup.

The certification represents a technical achievement in the electric vehicle sector, where rare-earth permanent magnets have been the standard for motor construction. The viability of ferrite-based alternatives could have implications for the broader EV manufacturing industry's approach to motor technology.

Ola Electric operates what it describes as India's largest electric vehicle manufacturing facility, the Ola Futurefactory in Tamil Nadu. The company maintains research and development operations in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and operates over 4,000 stores across India.