Japanese Professor reveals free rare electric car (video)

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

The prices of rare earth elements has gone through the roof in recent years, with China, mainly the monopolization of the market for these rare substances (the country currently produces a whopping 97 percent of all rare earth elements, used globally). However, in the area of electric vehicles, dependence on rare earths may soon be a thing of the past: Prof. Nobukazu Hoshi lab, Tokyo University of natural sciences has developed an electric car that does not require any rare earths.

The current prototype (altered Mazda Roadster since 1999) eats 400V/9.5 kWh hybrid car engine. Lithium battery consists of five modules that change the size and weight of 20 kg 215x335x210mm. Professor Hoshi had developed the so-called switched reluctance motor that boasts a 50 kW-rare earth elements needed.

In the video, embedded below (shot Diginfonews in Tokyo), Professor, explains the technology behind Motor and points out there is room for improvement (in particular, he wants to increase torque and energy efficiency and the reduction of noise and vibration).

However, a pretty impressive achievement for the laboratory of the University (Toyota works on rare earth elements-free engine for electric cars, too).

Here's the video (in English):

View the original article here