Sustainability
Our technology leaves more rare earths and copper in the ground where they belong.
The challenge
While electric vehicles offer transport with zero tailpipe emissions, the supply chain is far from sustainable. As the electric vehicle market grows rapidly, so does the demand for rare earth materials and copper.
The majority of current electric motors rely heavily on rare earth materials and copper. Not only is their extraction resource-intensive and damaging to the environment but they are also subject to price volatility and supply issues. With over 128 million electric vehicles to be sold annually by 2041, relying on rare earths and copper will cause serious environment and supply issues, jeopardising the road to a true net zero.
One tonne of rare earth produced creates:
2.6 tonnes
of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere
1.4 tonnes
of radioactive waste
60,000m³
of waste gas containing hydrolchloric acid
200m³
of acid containing sewage water
How we're solving it
AEM has manufactured a range of electric motors for passenger car, truck, agricultural and aerospace sectors that align with the goal of helping customers go faster and further while remaining greener than other technologies by eliminating environmentally harmful primary rare earth materials. AEM can also remove copper, which means its electric motors can be fully recyclable at end-of-life.
As a result, the electric motors developed by AEM are the most sustainable in the world while delivering market-leading efficiency and power density.
AEM motors could save:
1.3 million
tonnes
of CO2 equivalents per year compared to permanent magnet motor solutions available on the market today
260,000
tonnes
of radioactive waste by eliminating the use of polluting rare earth magnets in our traction motors
5 million
tonnes
less landfill per year as no rare earth metals or copper enable our motors to be fully recyclable at end of life
In production
Where possible, AEM aligns manufacturing with existing processes and assets to reduce costs, be more scalable and reduce environmental footprint
In disposal
AEM motors are recyclable. Removing copper from motors means motors can more easily be recycled and diverted from landfill, significantly increasing the amount of automotive steel and aluminium that can be re-used
In usage
AEM motors are lighter, energy-efficient, more power dense and offer greater range to go even further
Sustainable from start to finish
In production
Where possible, AEM aligns manufacturing with existing processes and assets to reduce costs, be more scalable and reduce environmental footprint
In usage
AEM motors are lighter, energy-efficient, more power dense and offer greater range to go even further
In disposal
AEM motors are recyclable. Removing copper from motors means motors can more easily be recycled and diverted from landfill, significantly increasing the amount of automotive steel and aluminium that can be re-used
A greener future
By finding smart ways to address sustainability issues, AEM is committed to developing technologies that will help propel electrification forward for all forms of transport.
We need electrification to tackle climate change. But we also need sustainable electrification to save the planet. Our technology means we no longer have to choose one or the other – we can do both. We can meet net zero targets and meet the demand for electric vehicles without harming the planet.
Resources
Why 2023 could be the watershed year for sustainable electrification
Blogs,
Sustainability
How do we make electric vehicles genuinely sustainable?
Blogs,
Electrification,
Sustainability
Copper – where things stand
Blogs,
Electrification,
Sustainability
Electric vehicles – the growing picture
Blogs,
Electrification,
Sustainability
AEM Leads Project To Establish UK Supply Chain For EV Drivetrains
Electrification,
News,
Partners,
Sustainability,
Technology
Tackling the sustainability of power electronics
Blogs,
Electrification,
Sustainability,
Technology