Strategic Analysis of Electric Motors for xEVs, 2025-2030

Electric Motor Market Set for Double-Digit Growth Fueled by Rising EV Demand, Cost Efficiency, and Reduced Rare Earth Reliance to Enhance Supply Chain Resilience

Demand for electric motors (e-motor) has skyrocketed in recent years, driven by the growing shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), stricter carbon emission regulations, government incentives, and advancements in battery technology. Currently, interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSM) dominate most of the EV traction motor market, thanks to their use of rare earth magnets offering high efficiency, superior power output, impressive torque density, and a wide speed range. These motors, with their proven performance and cost-effectiveness, have become the go-to choice for OEMs in powering EVs. Leading markets such as China, Europe, and North America are driving this demand, fueled by robust policy support and rising consumer preferences for sustainable transportation. However, challenges such as supply chain bottlenecks for raw materials (e.g., rare earth metals for permanent magnet motors) and high production costs continue to be significant hurdles. The e-motor landscape is set to evolve as new technologies in motor design emerge. Innovations, including axial flux motors, are expected to enhance efficiency while reducing dependence on rare earth materials. Additionally, the development of alternative, cost-effective materials is poised to lower production costs for traction motors. As EV adoption spreads to emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific, these areas are expected to become major contributors to global demand. Automakers and suppliers invest heavily in localizing e-motor production to minimize supply chain risks and reduce costs. The integration of AI and IoT in manufacturing processes will optimize e-motor performance and enable predictive maintenance. By 2030, the EV e-motor industry is forecast to be more competitive, cost-effective, and technologically advanced, becoming a central player in the global transition to electric mobility.

The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Electric Motor Industry

Transformative Megatrends

Why

Increased push for reduced carbon emissions is spurring the development of alternative electric powertrains. Many major economies have set targets to be carbon-neutral by 2035, affecting the EV traction motor market.

Frost Perspective

In response to governments' carbon-neutral initiatives, OEMs have announced plans to introduce a diverse range of EV models across all alternative powertrain types. Automakers will increasingly focus on exploring various strategies to deliver high-performance electric motors in the EV traction motor market at more affordable prices.

Competitive Intensity

Why

With the growing adoption of vehicles featuring alternative powertrains, there are significant increases in investments aimed at supporting necessary developments in the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) market. Additionally, new entrants are introducing innovative technologies to tap into these market opportunities.

Frost Perspective

To meet the demands of the rapidly expanding EV industry, numerous startups utilizing groundbreaking electric motor (e-motor) technologies have emerged to drive the sector forward, particularly in the e-motor production market. This influx of innovation is poised to trigger fierce competition between established players and new entrants over the forecast period.

Disruptive Technologies

Why

With the surge in global electric vehicle (EV) sales across all variants featuring various powertrain types, OEMs are pursuing advanced e-motor technologies, particularly in the axial flux motor technology market, to enhance efficiency and power density to match the performance levels of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Frost Perspective

The EV industry is actively seeking advancements to reduce its reliance on rare earth elements, which face supply constraints in the rare-earth supply chain for EV motors market. The development of new magnet-free e-motor technologies will allow OEMs to produce EVs with desired performance metrics while keeping input costs low in the e-motor production market.

Growth Drivers

• Increased global emphasis on sustainability and stricter emission regulations are driving consumers and governments toward EV adoption. This directly results in heightened demand for e-motors in the EV traction motor market.
• High supply risks associated with rare earth elements used in magnets for e-motors spur the development of alternative technologies, which eliminate the need for these materials in e-motor production. This directly impacts the rare-earth supply chain for EV motors market.
• Efficient recycling methods for used e-motors will enable manufacturers to utilize magnets made from recycled rare earth materials. Employing circular materials this way may significantly reduce environmental impact compared to using primary raw materials in the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) market.

Growth Restraints

• As more alternative technologies emerge, most e-motors used in xEVs will maintain their reliance on magnets made from rare earth materials over the next 5 to 7 years. Dependence on such materials could potentially disrupt supply chains in the rare-earth supply chain for EV motors market.
• Despite ongoing advancements, magnet-free e-motors lag behind magnet-based e-motors in terms of power density and efficiency. However, as technology evolves, particularly in the axial flux motor technology market, the performance gap between the 2 types of motors is gradually closing.
• High manufacturing costs related to the use of advanced materials and processes pose a significant challenge in the e-motor production market.