Modal Motors Aims to Eliminate China's Role in Electric Motor Supply Chain
Michael Van Steenburg, founder of Modal Motors, aims to build electric motors entirely without rare earth magnets sourced from China. The startup is part of the Startup Battlefield 200 and will compete at TechCrunch Disrupt next month. Van Steenburg argues that other companies reshoring motor production still rely on Chinese materials due to a lag in domestic supply chains. Modal Motors has developed two products: one for drones, fans, blowers, and actuators; the second is its "Hybrid Enigma Drive," a flat electric motor designed for compact spaces. Van Steenburg brings decades of automotive industry experience but acknowledges an ironic twist—he once worked on hybrid technology that China sought to adopt in their 'People’s Car.' The company's mission reflects growing concerns over China's control of the rare earth supply chain, which has led to strategic acquisitions and monopolistic tendencies globally. Van Steenburg believes reshoring must go beyond replicating Chinese models if it is to be truly independent.
Topics: Electric motors Modal Motors Rare earth magnets Reshoring manufacturing Startup Battlefield