car industry seeks to eliminate use of re mins

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/mining/8262883/Car-industry-seeks-to-eliminate-use-of-rare-earth-minerals.html

17 January 2011
The Telegraph

Mining

Car industry seeks to eliminate use of rare earth minerals
Car giant Toyota, the largest seller of hybrid vehicles in the world, is developing a motor that doesn't need rare earth minerals, as China reduces the supply of these strategically important metals.
Car industry seeks to eliminate use of rare earth minerals

Toyota has tried to reduce its reliance on China's rare earth minerals.

Metallic elements such as neodymium, terbium and dysprosium are used in vehicles and electronic devices and concerns are mounting that China, which supplies more than 90pc of the metals, may stop exporting them as early as 2012.

In the first half of 2011, China will cut exports by 35pc, adding to a 72pc reduction in 2010.

The car industry uses about 40pc of all rare earth metals, which are found in magnets in electric motors. The Japanese car giant reckons it is close to a breakthrough that will eliminate the need for rare earths.

The key is to use electromagnets which become magnetic when an current is passed through them. These "induction motors" are already used in household appliances such as blenders and juicers.

Toyota has tried to reduce its reliance on China. In January last year the company said it had invested in a lithium project with Australian group Orocobre in Argentina.