To enhance efficiency of torque generation of a double squirrel-cage rotary electric machine.

A rotary electric machine includes: a rotor iron core 21 having slots formed on an outer periphery thereof; first conductor rods 31; second conductor rods 32; first short circuit rings 41; and second short circuit rings 42. The first conductor rods 31 pass through predetermined positions in the slots. The second conductor rods 32 pass through positions in the slots different from the predetermined positions through which the first conductor rods 31 pass and have permittivity lower than that of the first conductor rods 31. The first short circuit rings 41 are rotatable together with a rotor 20 and have annular shapes having conductivity. End portions of the first conductor rods 31 in an axial direction are fixed to the first short circuit rings 41, and the first conductor rods 31 and the first short circuit rings 41 are conducted to one another. The second short circuit rings 42 are movable in the axial direction, and end portions of the second conductor rods 32 in the axial direction can be brought into contact with the second short circuit rings 42 and can be separated therefrom. The second short circuit rings 42 are disposed outside the rotor 20 and have the annular shapes made of metal. When the second short circuit rings 42 are brought into contact with the second conductor rods 32, the second short circuit rings 42 and the second conductor rods 32 are conducted to one another.