# Modal Motors ditches China's rare earths

> A startup is designing electric motors without rare-earth magnets to break U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains.
- Title: Modal Motors ditches China's rare earths · TechCrunch
- Summary: A startup is designing electric motors without rare-earth magnets to break U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains. Modal Motors is developing…
- Keywords: modal motors, electric motors, rare-earth magnets, supply chain, china, manufacturing, michael van steenburg, techcrunch disrupt, startup battlefield 200, technology, startups, Modal
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/23/modal-motors-is-trying-to-cut-china-out-of-electric-motors-entirely
- Author: Sean O'Kane
- Published: 2026-09-23T19:05:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: modal motors, electric motors, rare-earth magnets, supply chain, china, manufacturing, michael van steenburg, techcrunch disrupt, startup battlefield 200, technology, startups
## Van Steenburg's rare-earth gamble
Michael Van Steenburg spent a decade building electric motors in North America. Now his startup Modal Motors wants to ditch rare-earth magnets entirely.
## China's supply chain stranglehold
Van Steenburg says China has already restricted rare-earth access and controls the global supply chain. He sees breaking that dependence as urgent.

> China's already flexed its muscles a couple times.
## Other companies are doing it wrong
Competitors are reshoring motor manufacturing but still rely on rare-earth magnets. Van Steenburg argues domestic supplies are years away.

> They're basically knocking off Chinese motors and just doing it in the U.S.
## Two motors in development
Modal is building a small drone motor for fans and blowers, plus a flat Hybrid Enigma Drive that fits in low-profile spaces.
## From China's People's Car to independence
Van Steenburg once designed hybrid drivetrains China wanted for its People's Car. Now he's working to cut China out of motors entirely.

> It's kind of comical.
## Twenty-five years of watching monopoly grow
Van Steenburg says China has spent decades acquiring mines and mineral rights, slowly monopolizing the rare-earth supply chain worldwide.

> The clock started ticking twenty five years ago.
## Disrupt debut next month
Modal Motors competes in Startup Battlefield two hundred at TechCrunch Disrupt next month, pitching its rare-earth-free alternative to investors.
## Key takeaway

Modal Motors is developing rare-earth-free electric motors to reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese supply chains, competing at TechCrunch Disrupt next month.