The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:
Tim+ wrote:

If Tesla can manage without them I reckon thats good enough for
most of us.

Tesla are using rare-earth magnet motors in (some of?) their Model 3.

High strength magnets merely reduce the weight of the motor, You can get
as high flux densities and efficiences using electromagnets

I guess that's why they waited until the change of Model S and Model X,
to Model 3 (lighter, lower capacity battery, cheaper) to change motor.

AFAIK "rare" earths aren't especially rare, just that nowadays only
China seems to bother mining them, still they'll probably dig out lots
of Thorium while they're at it ...