[element92]

this story is garbage
............................

consider, motors for electric cars.

rare earths are nice to have,
but not vital.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I don’t know what the competing materials are (Wikipedia is of no help here). It is true that rare earths make greatly improved magnets and are a part of the phosphors in high color fidelity fluorescent lamps.

[SteamShovel]

consider, motors for electric cars.

rare earths are nice to have, but not vital.

You don't understand the "carrot and stick" mentality of earth worshipers.....

.....If you can make a "zero emission" car with regular magnets

.....Then you can make a "less than zero emission" car with rare earth element magnets!

Perpetual motion times two!

Technology for the sake of technology, even if not necessary.