Perspective Solutions for Sustainable Electric Propulsion: Novel Motors and Drive Technologies with Reduced or No Rare-Earth Materials
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "F: Electrical Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 422
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The transition toward sustainable electric propulsion is accelerating in response to environmental concerns and the global shift to clean energy; however, conventional electric machines often rely heavily on rare-earth permanent magnets, which pose significant challenges in terms of cost, availability, and environmental impact. This Special Issue explores perspective solutions through the development of novel electric motor topologies and advanced drive technologies that aim to reduce or eliminate rare-earth material use without compromising performance.
We welcome contributions focused on stator permanent magnet (stator-PM) motors, rotor-PM motors, and hybrid-excitation topologies. Particular emphasis is placed on designs that achieve high torque density, efficiency, high power density, and thermal robustness while minimizing demagnetization risk, particularly under fault or overload conditions.
Advances in drive systems and control strategies are also of interest, including new power converters, fault-tolerant control, and the use of wide-bandgap semiconductors. Integrated studies involving electromagnetic, thermal, and experimental validation are encouraged and special attention is paid to integrated motor–drive systems, where mechanical, electromagnetic, and power electronic subsystems are co-designed for optimal performance and reliability.
By bridging machine design with power electronics and intelligent control, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive outlook on rare-earth-conscious electric propulsion systems, supporting the next generation of sustainable technologies for various applications.
Areas of of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Rare-earth-free or reduced rare-earth electric machine designs;
- Stator-PM, rotor-PM, and hybrid excitation motor topologies;
- Demagnetization modelling, mitigation, and testing;
- Thermal robustness and thermal management;
- Advanced drive circuits and converter topologies;
- Control strategies for rare-earth-conscious motors;
- Integrated motor–drive systems;
- Multi-physics optimization and co-design;
- Applications in EVs, aerospace, and renewable energy systems.
Dr. Ehsan Farmahini Farahani
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- rare-earth-free electric machines
- stator permanent magnet motors
- rotor-PM and hybrid excitation
- demagnetization
- thermal robustness
- integrated motor–drive systems
- sustainable electric propulsion
- advanced drive technologies
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