A comprehensive review of ferrite-based electrical motors for electric vehicle applications

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative review of ferrite-based traction motors for electric vehicle (EV) applications. While numerous studies have examined ferrite-based motor designs in isolation, the literature still lacks a systematic comparative assessment across three levels: (i) the performance benchmarks of current commercial EV motors, (ii) the suitability of ferrite compared with rare-earth (RE) and other emerging permanent magnets, and (iii) the feasibility of ferrite-based motor topologies. A structured review, drawing on manufacturers’ datasheets, government and third-party reports, material databases, and peer-reviewed literature, is conducted to systematically compare these three levels and address the identified gap. The analysis shows that ferrite offers the most practical RE-free alternative, combining low cost, supply stability, and environmental sustainability, despite its lower remanence and coercivity compared with RE magnets. Design studies reveal that spoke-type, ferrite-assisted synchronous reluctance, and axial flux topologies can mitigate these limitations. Recent prototypes already demonstrate torque and power densities within the range of commercial EV motors, confirming that ferrite-based designs are no longer confined to theoretical feasibility. Overall, the evidence synthesized in this review indicates the practical viability of ferrite-based traction motors for EV applications.