Matter and Niron Magnetics Unveil Revolutionary "Rare-Earth-Free" EV Motor at CES 2026

In a significant leap for sustainable electric mobility, Ahmedabad-based Matter has announced a strategic collaboration with Niron Magnetics at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026. The duo has unveiled a first-of-its-kind Variable Flux Motor (VFM) prototype that completely eliminates the need for rare-earth materials.

Breaking the Rare-Earth Dependency

Most high-performance electric vehicle (EV) motors today rely heavily on Neodymium and other rare-earth minerals. These materials are not only expensive but are also plagued by volatile global supply chains.

The new prototype integrates Matter’s proprietary Variable Flux Drive architecture with Niron’s breakthrough Iron Nitride magnet technology (Clean Earth Magnet®). This combination promises to deliver high efficiency and torque without the environmental and geopolitical baggage of traditional magnets.

The Technology: How It Works

The innovation lies in the synergy between the motor design and the magnet material:

• Iron Nitride Magnets: Developed by Niron, these are the world's first commercially viable, high-performance, rare-earth-free permanent magnets. They are built from abundant iron and nitrogen.
  
  

• Variable Flux Architecture: Matter’s VFM design optimizes the magnetic field in real-time. This allows the motor to offer high torque at low speeds (for acceleration) and high efficiency at high speeds (for cruising), a balance that is often difficult to achieve in standard permanent magnet motors.

Showcased on the Matter AERA

The technology was demonstrated on Matter’s HyperShift platform—the same geared electric motorbike architecture that powers the Matter AERA.

Mohal Lalbhai, Founder and Group CEO of Matter, stated that this collaboration is about dismantling barriers. By integrating Iron Nitride technology, Matter aims to decouple India’s EV growth from global rare-earth supply constraints, ensuring that high-performance electric motorbikes can be manufactured sustainably and at scale.

Why This Matters for the Indian EV Market

For the Indian consumer, this technological shift could mean:

1. Cost Stability: Reduced exposure to fluctuating rare-earth prices could lead to more stable EV pricing.

2. Performance: The Variable Flux design is particularly well-suited for Indian riding conditions, which require frequent stop-and-go capabilities alongside highway cruising efficiency.

3. Sustainability: It aligns with the national push for "Make in India" and reduces the carbon footprint of EV manufacturing.

Future Outlook

While currently in the prototype phase, both companies are working to scale this technology for mass production. If successful, this partnership could set a new global benchmark for clean, efficient, and sovereign EV powertrains.