Ola Electric Becomes First Indian OEM to Get Govt Nod for Rare-Earth-Free Ferrite Motor
Ola Electric has achieved a major milestone by becoming India’s first automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to receive government certification for its in-house developed rare-earth-free ferrite motor.
The certification was granted by the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Tamil Nadu after extensive testing and validation under AIS 041 standards set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
According to the company, this breakthrough eliminates dependency on imported rare-earth permanent magnet motors — a key step toward building a self-reliant EV manufacturing ecosystem in India.
Ferrite Motor: A Homegrown Innovation
The ferrite motor, first unveiled during Ola’s ‘Sankalp 2025’ event in August, has demonstrated performance on par with conventional rare-earth magnet-based motors in 7 kW and 11 kW variants. Despite using ferrite magnets — made from iron oxide and other abundant materials — the motor delivers comparable efficiency and power output.
Ola Electric emphasized that the shift to ferrite motors will cut costs, enhance sustainability, and shield the company from global supply chain disruptions. Rare-earth elements such as neodymium and dysprosium, largely sourced from China, have long been subject to price volatility and geopolitical risks.
Strengthening India’s EV Ecosystem
With this approval, Ola Electric plans to deploy the ferrite motor across its entire product range, including the popular S1 electric scooter lineup. The company said the move will make its EVs more affordable and sustainable for Indian consumers.
Ola has been steadily advancing toward full vertical integration, developing critical components such as motors and batteries in-house to bolster India’s domestic EV supply chain and reduce import reliance.
As of Monday, shares of Ola Electric were down 1.89% at ₹53 apiece on the NSE. The stock has declined 12.2% over the past month but remains up 26.6% in the last three months.
What Is a Rare-Earth-Free Ferrite Motor?
A rare-earth-free ferrite motor operates without the use of rare-earth elements like neodymium or dysprosium, which are typically found in permanent magnet motors. Instead, it uses ferrite magnets, composed of iron oxide and other abundant compounds, to create magnetic fields.
Although ferrite magnets are inherently weaker than rare-earth magnets, advances in motor design and control systems now enable ferrite motors to achieve similar levels of performance and efficiency.
The technology offers clear advantages in cost-effectiveness, supply chain security, and environmental sustainability, making it an attractive alternative for the next generation of electric vehicles.
Read More Insights: precedenceresearch.com
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