TOKYO: In a world-first, the new Honda Freed 2016 will get a hybrid system that uses hot deformed neodymium magnets without heavy rare earth elements.
This is a major breakthrough for hybrid vehicle technology as it eliminates the high material costs and supply constraints of heavy rare earth elements.
Presently, the conventional method of producing neodymium magnets with high heat resistance, used in the drive motors of electric vehicles, is to add heavy rare earth elements (dysprosium or terbium).
The new technology for hot deformed neodymium magnets in hybrid vehicles was jointly developed by Daido Steel Co Ltd and Honda Motor Co Ltd.
