Greaves Cotton Limited has announced a manufacturing partnership with Chara Technologies to produce synchronous reluctance motors and controllers that do not use rare-earth elements. The components will be manufactured at Greaves’ facility in Shendra, Aurangabad, and will support both automotive and non-automotive applications including L5 three-wheelers, golf carts, and four-wheelers.
According to a company-issued press release, the collaboration will allow Greaves to manufacture and assemble these motor systems exclusively, using Chara’s technology. These motors are designed to reduce electromagnetic losses and improve energy efficiency without relying on hard-to-source rare-earth materials. The release states that this approach may yield up to 50% energy savings and a 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions through the use of sustainable raw materials.
Dr. Arup Basu, Managing Director of Greaves Cotton Ltd., stated: “We are committed to enabling and scaling sustainable mobility through innovation and collaboration. Given our design agnostic approach, we partner with start-ups and technology experts to offer bespoke prime mover solutions with a focus on sustainable mobility.”
Bhaktha Keshavachar, Founder and CEO of Chara Technologies, added: “This collaboration is a significant milestone for us at Chara as we continue building and delivering next-generation, rare-earth-free motor technologies. By combining Greaves’ deep industry expertise and expansive reach with Chara’s pathbreaking tech and product know-how, we see a powerful opportunity to accelerate the transition to clean mobility.”
The partnership comes amid ongoing supply chain disruptions in the global automotive sector, with manufacturers seeking alternatives to rare-earth elements due to sourcing and regulatory challenges. The companies aim to position this collaboration as a scalable solution for original equipment manufacturers in India and beyond.