BMW is set to boost the capabilities of electric vehicles with all-new round battery cells. The automobile-making company now claims that these new cells will offer better performance at a beat-down price.
BMW Is Set To Boost the Capabilities of Electric Vehicles
The chemistry inside of an electric vehicle battery is key in determining just how it will perform, as well as how much it will cost to eventually install in an EV. And as BMW prepares for a new generation of electric vehicles, the company is turning to new battery tech in a bid to help make those cars more efficient and at the same time less costly.
BMW Announced That Future EVs Will Be Relying On Round Battery Cells
On Friday, BMW announced that future EVs on its Neue Klasse electric-only platform will be relying on round battery cells that are newly developed. However, instead of building these cells itself, BMW has signed contracts with CATL and EVE Energy, who will help to supply the automaker with all these components from factories both in China and Europe. Another thing is that BMW also wants to have two cell production facilities in the North American free trade zone. But partners however have not yet been announced for that.
Current BMW Electric Vehicles Make Use of Prismatic Cells
Current BMW Electric Vehicles make use of what is called prismatic cells. These cells are flat, rectangular battery cells. Measuring 1.8 inches in diameter, with two different possible heights, the automobile-making company claims its new round cells will now be able to increase the maximum range of its vehicles by up to 30%.
Additionally, BMW says that these cells will be 20% more energy dense, and all thanks to the Neue Klasse’s 800-volt electrical architecture, the charging speed of these cells should be about 30% faster.
You should also note that these improvements don’t come from the shape alone. Cell chemistry will also play a very vital role. The new round cells of BMW will increase nickel content on the cathode and silicon content on the anode, while in the process reducing reliance on cobalt in the anode.
BMW also said that it will offer optional lithium-iron-phosphate cathodes, which will then sacrifice a bit of performance all in the name of reducing costs for entry-level EVs. Solid-state batteries on the other hand are also being researched, with the automaker now hoping to unveil a production-ready solid-state battery by decades’ end.
BMW Has Promised That Cell Production Will Rely Solidly On Recycled Metals
BMW In the name of sustainability has promised that cell production will rely solidly on recycled metals, in addition to receiving commitments from suppliers that the cells will be produced by making use of renewable energy. The hope here is that BMW will reduce the carbon footprint of its cell production by 60%.
The Neue Klasse Platform of BMW Will Start Shipping To Customers By 2025
The Neue Klasse platform of BMW will begin to make its way to customers by 2025. That being said, we should be seeing a compact sedan and SUV first, essentially de facto electric versions of the famous BMW 3 series and X3. This is all part of a big ramp-up in production that will be seeing 50% of the sales of BMW comprising electric vehicles by 2030.
