MATTER and Niron Magnetics Team Up for Rare-Earth-Free EV Motors

Electric mobility technology company MATTER has announced a strategic collaboration with Niron Magnetics to integrate rare-earth-free Iron Nitride magnet technology into its electric motorbike platforms. The first prototype resulting from this partnership was unveiled at CES 2026, marking a significant step toward more sustainable and self-reliant electric vehicle technologies.

The collaboration aims to reduce the EV industry’s dependence on rare earth elements, which are associated with high environmental costs and complex global supply chains. As part of the partnership, MATTER will explore the integration of Niron Magnetics’ Iron Nitride magnet technology and Variable Flux Motor (VFM) designs into its next-generation electric motorbike platforms.

The prototype combines MATTER’s liquid-cooled powertrains, in-house developed gearboxes, and vehicle systems with Niron Magnetics’ Iron Nitride magnets. Built on MATTER’s HyperShift geared electric motorbike platform, the system is designed to deliver improved torque, higher efficiency across varying speed ranges, faster acceleration, and enhanced riding range.

Variable Flux Motor technology eliminates the traditional trade-off between low-speed torque and high-speed efficiency found in conventional electric motors. For electric motorcycles, this translates into quicker acceleration, better control in urban riding conditions, efficient highway cruising, and improved thermal stability. Notably, Iron Nitride magnets offer high performance without the use of rare earth elements or other critical minerals.

Commenting on the partnership, Prasad Telikapalli, Founder and Group CTO of MATTER, said the collaboration aligns with the company’s goal of building future-ready electric mobility solutions while strengthening India’s technological independence. Mohal Lalbhai, Founder and Group CEO of MATTER, added that integrating Iron Nitride VFM technology helps overcome long-standing performance and sustainability limitations in electric mobility.

Jonathan Rowntree, CEO of Niron Magnetics, said working with MATTER provides an opportunity to demonstrate how Iron Nitride technology can unlock new possibilities in high-performance e-mobility, adding that MATTER’s technology-focused approach makes it an ideal partner for bringing rare-earth-free magnet innovation to production-scale applications.

Founded in January 2019 and headquartered in Ahmedabad, MATTER Motor Works manufactures the AERA geared electric motorbike and holds over 400 patent filings, with 97 patents granted. Niron Magnetics specializes in manufacturing permanent magnets using Iron Nitride material formulations.