被中国卡脖子！外资车企“硬上”无稀土电机！靠谱吗？

Core Viewpoint - Renault has terminated its collaboration with Valeo on the E7A project for rare-earth-free motors, citing cost advantages from Chinese suppliers, which could reduce costs by 20-30% [2][15][76]. Group 1: Project Termination and Cost Implications - Renault's decision to end the partnership with Valeo comes after two years of development, close to the 2027 production target [2]. - The spokesperson from Renault hinted at potential collaboration with Chinese partners, while Valeo declined to comment [2]. - The new plan involves sourcing stators from Chinese suppliers while maintaining in-house rotor development and assembly in France [2][3]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Competition - Valeo quickly found a new partner in Mahle Group to continue developing rare-earth-free motors, aiming for a single motor power of over 350 kW [4]. - Major automakers like Tesla, BMW, GM, and Volkswagen are also investing heavily in rare-earth-free motor technology to reduce reliance on rare earths [8][79]. Group 3: Rare Earths and Supply Chain Challenges - China holds approximately 34% of the world's rare earth reserves and dominates global production and refining [10][11]. - Due to increasing trade tensions, China has implemented stricter export controls on rare earths, leading to supply shortages and increased production costs for international automakers [14][15]. - The rising prices of rare earths have resulted in significant cost increases for electric vehicle production, with Tesla's costs rising by 18% and European automakers facing an additional $200-300 per vehicle [15][16]. Group 4: Importance of Rare Earths in Electric Motors - Rare earth elements are crucial for producing high-performance permanent magnet synchronous motors, which are widely used in electric vehicles [6][7]. - The discovery of rare earth permanent magnets in the late 20th century revolutionized electric motor technology, allowing for higher power densities and efficiency [31][36]. Group 5: Alternatives to Rare Earths - Some companies, like Tesla and GM, are exploring alternatives such as iron nitride to replace rare earth magnets, achieving efficiencies close to 98% of rare earth motors [47][50]. - BMW has developed a rare-earth-free motor system using ferrite magnets, which is cheaper but has lower efficiency and power density compared to rare earth motors [55][60]. Group 6: Future Outlook - Despite advancements in rare-earth-free technologies, the performance and efficiency of rare earth motors remain superior, making widespread replacement unlikely in the short term [75][76]. - Chinese companies, including BYD and NIO, are also investing in rare-earth-free motor research, indicating a potential future shift in the industry [78][80].