Tesla's Cybercab Motor Ditches Rare Earth Metals Without Losing Range

Elon Musk posted that the Cybercab motor uses no rare earth metals but maintains the same range. He called the achievement extremely difficult. Tesla engineer Konstantinos Laskaris described the vehicle as featuring a rare-earth-free electric traction motor that delivers true minimization of system cost for autonomous driving. Multiple users on X discussed how the change could reduce reliance on Chinese rare earth supplies. One reply questioned whether the motor uses ferrite magnets and how much torque comes from reluctance torque instead.