BMW Announces Sources for New EV Batteries
Europe, China and North America will each have two plants that will produce round lithium ion cells for BMW.
Europe, China and North America will each have two plants that will produce round lithium ion cells for BMW.
Europe, China and North America will each have two plants that will produce round lithium ion cells with longer ranges and faster charging capabilities than the prismatic cells currently in use at BMW. The advanced technology costs half of what the older technology does and will bolster BMW’s “Neue Klasse” EV platform.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) and Eve Energy Co. will set up and run the new factories in Europe and China as the luxury auto manufacturer overhauls its supply chain. The company still seeks partners for the North American factories.
“We are approaching an enormous technology leap,” Frank Weber, BMW’s development chief, told reporters at a press conference.
Weber noted that BMW’s suppliers have agreed to produce the cells with renewable energy only. They will partly use recycled cobalt, nickel and lithium, which he says will cut production-related carbon emissions by as much as 60%.
BMW will purchase cells rather than produce them, unlike Tesla and Volkswagen AG. This will allow BMS to access new technologies faster for greater gains in efficiency and range.
BMW will partner with CATL and Eve Energy on round cells in Europe and China. The company is still searching for partners in North America. BMW plans to build the two APublishmerican factories in a free-trade zone in the U.S., Canada or Mexico, and each facility will have an annual production capacity up to 20 gigawatt-hours.
BMW already has purchasing contracts with CATL and Eve Energy. Some CATL batteries will come from its Hungary facility, which is already supplying Mercedes-Bez AG. Eve Energy plans to build and operate a second plant to manufacture round cells in Europe.
Neue Klasse entry-level models also may use lithium iron-phosphate batteries, according to Weber. These less-expensive batteries do not require nickel or cobalt, offer less energy density and are heavier than round cells.
Top-of-the-line BMW EVs will deliver a range up to 497 miles and the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes, Weber added.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Showroom
California Sees Quarterly Gains
California’s new-vehicle market saw a boost in hybrids in the third quarter and its first overall quarterly market gain of the year.
Read More →
New-Vehicle Prices Stay Put
Affordability pressures and model availability shaped new-vehicle sales in September, according to an analysis by Kelley Blue Book.
Read More →
EV Buyer Consideration Shifts
What drives American consumers to purchase an electric vehicle is shifting as the question moves away from Should I?' to 'Which features and experience do I want to have?'
Read More →
Year-to-Date Auto Sales Holding Their Own
A forecast through August shows that automakers have shifted strategies to keep deliveries and revenues up despite tariffs and other economic challenges.
Read More →
Slow to Robo
Ten years of polling consumers shows autonomous vehicles’ profiles have risen considerably, but even more people now want at least some level of control if they go that route.
Read More →
Dealers a Little Down
A third-quarter Cox Automotive survey finds them in a mixed mood, bummed by fallen customer traffic but encouraged by better profits, costs and EV interest.
Read More →
European EV Sales Skyrocket
The EV market on the continent held strong in July with almost 25% of new-car sales being fully electric units, a stark contrast to the U.S., where EV sales declined about 42%.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Used Lots Getting the Business
Many consumers are seeking out the units to save money, and the demand – higher in July than normal – is keeping supply limited and prices up.
Read More →
Used Market Stabilizes
The Carfax Used Car Index noted a major drop in used-vehicle price increases in July after several months of hikes.
Read More →