It is given a brief overview of high efficiency motors [1-3] and the materials used in these machines.

This subject has attracted big interest because the applications in electric vehicles

Internal Permanent Magnet Synchronous Reluctance Motors have attracted a significante attention because its high efficiency.

It is discussed motor designs with or without permanent magnets.

Axial flux machines are also discussed, as well as in-wheel motors.

It is  also discussed the possibility of using Halbach arrays of magnets.

It is shown that, for embedded magnets, the Halbach arrangement is not advantageous.

Halbach arrangements usually are surface mounted.

It is also discussed the types of magnets used in electric cars. A better design avoids the heating of system, thus allowing the use of magnets with small amount of dysprosium in the phase (NdPrDy)2Fe14B

A simple way of improving motor efficiency is by decreasing the thickness of the steel sheets used as soft magnetic core.

Segmentation is a possibility for using high permeability materials as for example GO (Grain Oriented) steels