Numeros Motors has entered into a two-year research partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar to develop rare earth-free electric motor technologies. The initiative focuses on reducing reliance on imported materials and exploring cost-effective manufacturing solutions for electric vehicle (EV) components.
The collaboration will investigate various non-magnet motor topologies as alternatives to conventional permanent magnet motors, which typically rely on imported rare earth elements such as neodymium and dysprosium. These materials are considered strategically sensitive due to their cost and limited domestic availability.
The research will be conducted through IIT Bhubaneswar’s Research and Entrepreneurship Park. Dr Ankit Dalal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and lead investigator for the project, said the initiative would also support ongoing innovation in EV component design.
Shreyas Shibulal, Founder and CEO of Numeros Motors, stated, “This partnership is a significant step in our journey to create scalable rare earth-free motor solutions that can bring down production costs and support EV manufacturing.” The company has not yet shared details regarding commercial deployment timelines or pricing.
Professor Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, described the collaboration as a focused effort to address sustainability and affordability in EV production through industry-academic engagement.