E-Motor Rotor Temperature Sensors
Continental Unveils an EV Motor Sensor to Cut Earth Metal Use
Georgia Wray Norsten — June 3, 2025
Continental AG has developed a new e-motor rotor temperature sensor (eRTS) that could make electric vehicle motors more sustainable by reducing reliance on rare earth metals. The eRTS is the first sensor to directly measure EV motor rotor heat, replacing less accurate software estimates. By providing precise real-time temperature readings (within 3°C, down from a 15°C tolerance), automakers can avoid over-engineering motors with excess rare earth elements for heat tolerance. This means magnets can be built with significantly fewer rare earth materials while maintaining performance, cutting costs and supply-chain impacts. The innovation is part of Continental’s push to expand its EV sensor portfolio, demonstrating how smart engineering can enhance efficiency and sustainability in electric drivetrains.
Continental’s eRTS sensor addresses both an economic and environmental pain point for EV manufacturers. Rare earth metals like neodymium are costly and often mined in non-sustainable ways; reducing their required volume lowers material costs and mitigates supply risks. For automakers, adopting this sensor can improve motor performance and sustainability credentials simultaneously, giving them an edge as consumers and regulators demand greener EVs.
