A Japanese startup has developed a motor for electric vehicles that requires no rare-earth elements.

The global auto industry is keen to substitute rare earths. Most of the materials are supplied by China, whose exports could be disrupted by a future trade war under President-elect Donald Trump.

The venture, Next Core Technologies, showed off its motor at CES, one of the world's largest tech fairs, held earlier this month in Las Vegas. It drew plenty of interest from visitors.

The prototype contains no terbium or dysprosium. These elements are used in high-performance EV motors to prevent them from over-heating.

Next Core Technologies says it applied its own metal refining and processing skills for heat-resistance.

The Kyoto-based venture also says the motor uses far less electricity than conventional types. Yamamoto Yuki, Next Core Technologies' chief executive officer, said, "Regarding the conflict between the US and China, we can't deny the possibility that it could affect motors, rare earth materials and other items. So I can see more active moves to produce products domestically without reliance on imported materials."

Orders for the prototype are flooding in from automakers in Japan, Europe and the United States.