UK – Advanced Electric Machines Ltd (AEM), based in Washington, UK, an electric motor manufacturer spun out from Newcastle University, has announced that its HDRM300 motor series has exceeded four million kilometres in service across real-world bus and light rail operations. The milestone highlights the durability and operational reliability of the motor in demanding public transport environments. Of the total distance achieved, 1.1 million kilometres were logged by buses built by Indonesia’s PT Industri Kereta Api across Asia, marking a significant footprint in the commercial vehicle segment.

A standout feature of AEM’s motors is their sustainable design: the HDRM300 series contains no rare earth metals and is fully recyclable. According to AEM, the motors deliver performance and efficiency on par with conventional permanent magnet motors, without the associated environmental costs. Thanks to patented switched reluctance technology, the HDRM300 eliminates the need for materials such as neodymium and dysprosium, whose mining processes can have severe ecological and geopolitical consequences. As the market continues to shift toward greener transportation, AEM’s rare-earth-free technology positions it as a distinctive player in the electrification of public transport.