Highlights

• ePropelled prepares for rare earth supply disruptions by partnering with U.S. magnet producers to create independent supply chains.
• The company designs energy-efficient motors and power management systems for uncrewed vehicles with 47 patents across multiple industries.
• Securing rare earth magnet independence is critical for national defense, technology innovation, and future mobility solutions.

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When Beijing tightened rare-earth export restrictions this week—expanding them to include magnet-making technologies—it rattled markets from New York to Tokyo. The Dow dropped nearly 900 points, President Trump called the move “hostile and shocking,” and the scramble for non-Chinese rare earth supply chains intensified overnight.

One company that says it’s already prepared is ePropelled (opens in a new tab), a New Hampshire–based electric propulsion innovator led by founder and CEO Nick Grewal (opens in a new tab).

A Quiet Pioneer in Energy-Efficient Propulsion

Founded in 2018, ePropelled designs and manufactures motors, generators, and power management systems for uncrewed aerial, land, and sea vehicles—ranging from long-range defense drones to commercial delivery systems and electric mobility platforms. With 47 patents across 13 patent families, its proprietary designs reduce energy consumption, extend range, and enable data-driven performance monitoring.

The company operates a global footprint across the U.S., U.K., and India, integrating engineering, analytics, and manufacturing to serve more than 50 customers worldwide. ePropelled’s systems are ISO 9001:2015-certified, underscoring its quality assurance for aerospace and defense-grade applications.

Building a Post-China Magnet Supply Chain

In a LinkedIn post titled “China’s Rare-Earth Shock — Why ePropelled Is Ready,” Grewal explained that his team had anticipated supply disruptions. The company partnered early with U.S. Rare Earth Inc. (opens in a new tab) and Vulcan Elements Inc., (opens in a new tab) two American mining and magnetics startups slated to begin neodymium and samarium magnet production in early 2026. Rare Earth Exchanges (REEx) has emphasized that assuming all execution goes according to plan is, in fact, a big assumption.

While these domestic sources are not yet online, the alliances position ePropelled to secure “first access to sovereign supply” once operational—creating a closed-loop, ex-China magnet chain vital for U.S. defense and mobility industries.

“Who controls the magnets, motors, and materials—controls the future of defense and mobility,” Grewal wrote.

Why Rare Earth Independence Matters

Electric propulsion systems depend heavily on rare earth permanent magnets—specifically neodymium, praseodymium, and samarium-cobalt alloys—which currently come almost entirely from China. Supply disruptions can cripple drone fleets, EV drivetrains, and even missile guidance systems. For firms like ePropelled, securing independent magnet supply isn’t just a cost-saving measure—it’s a national-security imperative.

By aligning with emerging domestic producers, ePropelled aims to insulate its technology platform from geopolitical risk while contributing to the broader U.S. strategy of re-shoring critical materials.

As Grewal summed it up: “Supply chains win wars. Strategy wins futures.”

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