Design and simulation of REE free variable flux e-machine

The transition to sustainable mobility is accelerating the demand for high-performance electric machines. While Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines (PMSMs) are widely adopted for their efficiency and controllability, their reliance on rare earth elements (REEs) raises environmental and supply chain concerns. To overcome these limitations, research is focusing on REE-free solutions and innovative topologies such as Variable Flux Machines (VFMs), which use low-coercivity magnets that can be actively demagnetized and remagnetized during operation. This thesis, carried out in collaboration with Volvo Cars Corporation (Sweden), investigates the design of a REE-free VFM for automotive applications. The study employs a new rare-earth-free iron nitride permanent magnets and establishes a systematic workflow combining JMAG for finite element optimization and SyR-e for parametric analysis. The primary aim of this work is to define a design methodology for the realization of an electrical machine suitable for automotive application, combining high performance with reduced environmental impact. By exploiting REE-free permanent magnets and advanced optimization tools, the proposed approach seeks to deliver a motor design that is both technically competitive and aligned with the ongoing transition to sustainable mobility.