A permanent magnet motor is a type of brushless electric engine that uses permanent magnets instead of winding in the field.

This type of motor is utilized in the Chevy Bolt[1], the Chevy Volt, and the Tesla Model 3.[2] Various other Tesla models use traditional induction motors motors.[3] Front motors in all-wheel drive Model 3 Teslas are also induction motors.

Long lasting magnet motors are better than induction electric motor or motors with field windings for certain high-efficiency applications such as electrical vehicles. Tesla’s Chief Motor Designer was quoted discussing these advantages, stating: “It’s well known that permanent magnet devices have the advantage of pre-excitation from the magnets, and therefore you have some efficiency benefit for that. Induction devices have perfect flux regulation and for that reason you can optimize your efficiency. Both seem sensible for variable-velocity drive single-gear tranny as the drive products of the cars. Therefore, you may already know, our Model 3 has a permanent magnet machine now. This is because for the specification of the performance and efficiency, the permanent magnet machine better solved our price minimization function, and it had been optimal for the number and performance focus on. Quantitatively, the difference is what drives the continuing future of the machine, and it’s a trade-off between motor cost, range and battery cost that is determining which technology will be utilized in the future.
The magnetic field for a synchronous machine may be provided by using long lasting magnets made of neodymium-boron-iron, samarium-cobalt, or ferrite on the rotor. In some motors, these magnets are mounted with adhesive on the surface of the rotor core such that the magnetic field is radially directed across the atmosphere gap. In other designs, the magnets are inset into the rotor core surface area or inserted in slot machine games just below the surface. Another kind of Auto Chain permanent-magnet electric motor has circumferentially directed magnets positioned in radial slots that provide magnetic flux to iron poles, which create a radial field in the air flow gap.

The main application for permanent-magnet motors is in variable-speed drives where the stator is supplied from a variable-frequency, variable-voltage, electronically controlled source. Such drives are capable of precise speed and placement control. Because of the lack of power losses in the rotor, in comparison with induction electric motor drives, also, they are highly efficient.

Permanent-magnet motors can be designed to operate at synchronous swiftness from a way to obtain continuous voltage and frequency. The magnets are embedded in the rotor iron, and a damper winding is placed in slots in the rotor surface area to supply starting capability. Such a motor will not, however, have means of managing the stator power aspect.