Rare Earth Metals Supply: The Next Microchip Crisis?
1.12.2021 11:00:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
With the heightened scrutiny of automotive contributions to climate change, automakers’ full attention is focused on electric vehicles (EVs). The electrification of transportation will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, eliminate tailpipe emissions and help mitigate climate change. EVs, however, have a challenge: rare earth metals in their motors.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211201005051/en/
Tula’s DMD™ Dynamic Motor Drive paired with synchronous reluctance motors (pictured here) could help lower EV production costs. (Photo: Business Wire)
Rare earth metals are not rare in nature, but rarely are they concentrated in amounts that make extraction and processing economically feasible. Demand for rare earth metals is increasing in conjunction with the transition to an electrified future. The anticipated supply-demand imbalance, supply-chain management issues and escalating costs are causing automakers to look for other options.
Tula Technology, Inc., a leader in propulsion efficiency, recently authored a whitepaper titled “Rare Earth Materials and their Impact on the Future of Electric Motors,” that highlights the challenges associated with rare earth metals used in EV motors and offers practical alternatives.
Tula’s Dynamic Motor Drive (DMD™), a patented DMD pulse density strategy, avoids rare earth metals in EV motors by deploying synchronous reluctance motors (SynRMs), which typically do not utilize rare earth metals. The unique control algorithms implemented through DMD improve the efficiency of SynRMs, positioning them as a viable alternative to the permanent magnet motors used in the vast majority of EVs today.
“The limited supply of rare earths, coupled with growth in demand, has resulted in price increases that are likely to continue. Beyond pricing, rare earth dependence is increasing supply chain risk, and it could easily become the next microchip crisis for the automotive industry,” said R. Scott Bailey, president and CEO of Tula. “EV manufacturers can implement an economical solution while avoiding the challenges of rare earth metals by combining synchronous reluctance motors with DMD. Our solution could lead to broader consumer adoption of EVs by lowering costs.”
DMD provides the greatest benefit for off-grid applications like EVs where battery capacity or range are concerns. The benefits of DMD also can be substantial wherever motors and generators are used, such as home appliances, industrial motors or wind power generators.
Advancing the conversation and awareness around EV technologies, Tula engineers recently presented “Optimizing Electric Motor Controls with Dynamic Motor Drive” at the 2021 Aachen Colloquium on Sustainable Mobility, an annual conference held in Aachen, Germany, as well as the Aachen China Colloquium. Both conferences attract automotive experts and researchers from around the world to exchange ideas on future mobility.
For more information on Dynamic Motor Drive, visit tulatech.com/dmd.
About Tula Technology, Inc.
Silicon Valley-based Tula Technology provides innovative award-winning software controls to optimize propulsion efficiency and emissions across the mobility spectrum, including gasoline-powered, diesel, alternative fuel, hybrid, and electric vehicles. Tula’s culture of innovation has resulted in breakthrough technologies and a robust global patent portfolio of more than 380 patents issued and pending. Tula Technology is a privately held company backed by Sequoia Capital, Sigma Partners, Khosla Ventures, GM Ventures, BorgWarner and Franklin Templeton. More information is available at www.tulatech.com.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211201005051/en/
Contact information
Tula Technology, Inc.
Ram Subramanian
Principal Marketing Strategist
ram@tulatech.com
Media: Financial Profiles
Debbie Douglas, SVP
ddouglas@finprofiles.com
949-375-3436
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Venture Global Launches First Advertising Campaign: “Unstoppable Energy”23.3.2026 12:30:00 EET | Press release
Today, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) is launching its first national advertising campaign – “Unstoppable Energy”. The seven-figure, year-long campaign includes national and local broadcast television spots, as well as out-of-home, print, and digital ad placements. The company is proud to have Academy-Award winner Billy Bob Thornton as the campaign voiceover. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260323692879/en/ “Venture Global is excited to unveil our very first national advertising campaign, featuring the accomplished Billy Bob Thornton as its voice,” said Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel. “The Unstoppable Energy campaign portrays the roll-up-your-sleeves tenacity and innovation that drives our company every day. We are proud to introduce the ethos and story of the Venture Global brand across the U.S. as we grow into one of the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters in the world.” About Venture Global Ventur
Venture Global and Vitol Announce New LNG Purchase Agreement23.3.2026 12:00:00 EET | Press release
Today, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) and Vitol announced the execution of a new, binding agreement for the purchase of approximately 1.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Venture Global for five years commencing in 2026, to be supplied from Venture Global’s portfolio. “Global demand for flexible, reliable U.S. LNG is rapidly growing, and Venture Global is proud to work with premier LNG trading companies like Vitol to provide this critical supply to the market,” said Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel. “Thanks to our innovative model, we have the ability to provide our customers with short, medium, and long-term LNG supply, and this agreement is another important step in diversifying the tenor of our LNG portfolio.” “Vitol is delighted to be working with Venture Global, a leading producer and supplier of LNG to world markets,” said Pablo Galante Escobar, Global Head of LNG at Vitol. “LNG is important to many economies worldwide. Through this transacti
RSA Launches ID Plus Sovereign Deployment: The Next Level of High Assurance Identity Security23.3.2026 12:00:00 EET | Press release
Today at RSAC Conference 2026, RSA, the security-first identity leader, announced the launch of RSA® ID Plus Sovereign Deployment, a groundbreaking evolution in high assurance identity solutions designed to meet the needs of organizations that must maintain constant availability, meet policy and data sovereignty laws, and defend themselves from advanced, persistent threats. RSA ID Plus Sovereign Deployment is the next evolution in RSA® ID Plus, the market’s most secure identity and access management (IAM) security platform featuring complete multi-factor authentication (MFA), SSO, and access capabilities. RSA ID Plus Sovereign Deployment features a new “deploy anywhere” capability that allows government agencies, financial services, critical infrastructure, and healthcare organizations to modernize their identity infrastructure while still maintaining the highest standards in security, availability, and regulatory compliance. Unlike other vendors that offer limited technology or reduce
Klarna Expands Its Partnership With H&M in Romania and Hungary23.3.2026 11:46:00 EET | Press release
Klarna, a global digital bank and provider of flexible payment solutions, and H&M, one of the world's largest fashion retailers, announce the expansion of their partnership in Romania and Hungary as a strategic step that strengthens the long-standing global collaboration between the two companies. Klarna is now available as a payment method for H&M customers in both markets, offering a smooth, more predictable checkout experience and payment options tailored to the different needs of shoppers. The integration of Klarna into H&M online stores is an important feature for customers, who will thus be able to access interest-free flexible payment options. More flexibility at checkout By integrating Klarna into the payment process, H&M customers shopping online in Romania and Hungary can benefit from a full range of deferred payment options, flexible solutions with no interest or fees if payment is made on time. Depending on eligibility, customers can choose between paying in full with Klarn
Recyclable Packaging and Responsible Water Management: Barilla’s Commitment to a More Sustainable Future23.3.2026 11:30:00 EET | Press release
With 99.8% of the packaging designed to be recyclable and a 45% increase in water recycled and reused in 2024 compared to 2022, Barilla continues to strengthen its commitment to the responsible management of resources. The company is reaffirming this commitment on the occasion of Global Recycling Day (March 18) and World Water Day (March 22), two moments that highlight the importance of increasingly sustainable production models – from efficient water management to the design of more circular packaging solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260320294356/en/ Barilla Group's Rubbiano Plant (PR) WATER AS A STRATEGIC RESOURCE TO PROTECT A fundamental resource for pasta production and for the balance of ecosystems, water is a central element in Barilla’s management of its operations. The company works to progressively reduce water consumption in its production processes, promoting the responsible use of this re
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom