develops first hybrid car motor free of heavy rare earth metals
12/07/2016 04:03
* Technology developed with Daido Steel
* Comes as automakers try to ease dependence on China
resources
* New electric motor to debut in next Freed minivan
(Adds background on rare earth metals)
TOKYO, July 12 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co Ltd 7267.T on
Tuesday said it has co-developed the world's first motor for
hybrid cars that uses no heavy rare earth metals, a breakthrough
that would reduce its dependence on the expensive materials,
which are controlled mainly by China.
Hybrid vehicles, which combine a gasoline engine and
electric motor for better mileage, have gone mainstream in many
developed countries but procuring a steady supply of rare earth
elements such as dysprosium and terbium has been a challenge.
Automakers have been trying to diversify their source of the
materials to ease their dependence on China, which had in 2010
imposed a temporary, de facto ban on exports of rare earth
minerals to Japan as the two nations engaged in territorial
disputes.
Honda, Japan's third-largest automaker, said on Tuesday the
technology, developed with Daido Steel Co Ltd 5471.T , will be
used in the next Freed minivan to be unveiled this autumn.
The redesigned motor still uses the light rare earth element
neodymium, which can be found in North America and Australia, in
addition to China.
Honda is aiming for new-energy vehicles, including
gasoline-electric hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric and
fuel cell vehicles to account for two-thirds of its line-up by
2030, from around 5 percent now. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL3N16321Q
(Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu and Maki Shiraki; Editing by
Chang-Ran Kim and Chris Gallagher)
((naomi.tajitsu@thomsonreuters.com; +81364411078; Reuters
Messaging: naomi.tajitsu.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: HONDA RAREEARTHS/