Hybrid cars are helping save our planet from toxic greenhouse gasses, but did you know that their engines are actually made of rare earth metals? Rare earth elements can be found directly below the earth’s surface in many different parts of the world, including China, North America and Australia. Although labeled “rare” they are easily found just inside of other minerals. Because of this, they are difficult to mine and the process is not cost efficient. Magnets are used in hybrid cars engine’s rotor. The magnets are polarized oppositely to allow the spinning and to charge the engine electronically. Without these magnets, hybrid engines would not run. Traditionally car makers have been using multiple types of rare earth elements like dysprosium, neodymium and terbium. Almost all major manufacturers are using these metals as well, from Honda to Chevy. As they are only abundant in some places throughout the world it has caused those with it available to control the market. One company that was tired of being controlled by the market was Honda. To solve this problem, they developed a new and improved way of using the rare earth metal for their engines. The biggest change was that they eliminated the use of the heavier rare earth elements dysprosium and terbium and chose to use more neodymium. As you know, a lot of our magnets are made from neodymium. It is one of the strongest magnets available, and is much lighter than the other two elements. In fact, by switching to neodymium the car maker said it will cut the weight of the parts being used by 8 percent and the overall cost of the product by 10 percent. The newly developed engine magnets will make its debut this fall in their minivan called Freed. The vehicle originally debuted in Honda’s home country of Japan and is expected to make its lighter and improved version this fall. What do you think of the switch Honda is making, could it lead to a shortage of neodymium, or will the other major companies follow suit? Let us know in the comments section!