CATL and EVE Energy will supply cylindrical batteries to BMW.

On September 9, 2022, BMW Group announced that it will start using cylindrical battery cells in its new models beginning in 2025. This groundbreaking battery technology not only significantly boosts energy density, range, and charging speed but also helps reduce the carbon footprint and resource consumption during cell production.

Mr. Weibofan, BMW Group’s Board Member in charge of R&D, stated: "Our sixth-generation lithium-ion cells will deliver a significant technological leap, increasing energy density by more than 20%, extending range by up to 30%, and boosting charging speeds by as much as 30%. At the same time, we’ll reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 60% during the battery production process. These groundbreaking innovations will further enable us to achieve sustainability while delivering greater value to our customers."

The battery cell determines key performance aspects of electric vehicles, such as range, driving dynamics, and charging time. BMW has developed a completely new cell design and chemical system for its sixth-generation eDrive electric-drive technology. This innovative cylindrical cell can boost range by up to 30% (WLTP). Compared to the fifth-generation square cells, the sixth-generation cylindrical cells feature a higher nickel content in the cathode, along with a reduced cobalt content, while the anode incorporates more silicon. As a result, the sixth-generation cells deliver a volumetric energy density that’s improved by over 20%.
The brand-new cylindrical cells feature a standard diameter of 46 millimeters and come in two different heights. The battery system will play a crucial role in the body structure of the new vehicle models. Depending on the specific model, the battery will be seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s structural framework, minimizing space consumption and achieving a perfect harmony between the battery and the car body. This innovative design also significantly optimizes the space previously required for battery modules. Moreover, the new models will elevate their voltage platform—encompassing the battery, powertrain, and charging technology—to as high as 800 volts, enabling more efficient energy delivery to DC fast-charging stations. With current capabilities reaching up to 500 amperes, charging power can be dramatically enhanced, reducing the time needed to charge the high-voltage battery from 10% to 80% by as much as 30%.
Meanwhile, the sixth-generation battery technology will also, for the first time, offer lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as an optional cathode material, further eliminating the need to use raw materials like cobalt and nickel in cathodes. Meanwhile, the company continues to advance the development of all-solid-state batteries (ASSB), with a target set to integrate solid-state high-voltage batteries into mass-produced vehicles by 2030.
As the product lineup and market demand continue to grow rapidly, BMW Group plans to deliver more than 2 million all-electric vehicles globally by the end of 2025. Starting from the mid-2020s, pure electric models will make a significant contribution to BMW Group’s sales, and the company will further accelerate the penetration rate of its all-electric offerings. By 2030, BMW Group’s all-electric vehicles are expected to account for 50% of its global sales. By that time, the group’s three other iconic brands will also undergo full electrification: Rolls-Royce will complete the electrification of its entire product portfolio; BMW Motorrad’s urban mobility range will transition entirely to electric power; and MINI will embark on a comprehensive shift to electrification starting in the early 2030s, offering customers zero-emission driving experiences filled with pure automotive joy.
To meet the demand for battery cells required by its new vehicle models, BMW Group has awarded production contracts worth over 10 billion euros to its two partners, CATL and EVE Energy. These two partners will each establish two battery cell factories—one in China and one in Europe—each with an annual production capacity of up to 20 GWh. Additionally, BMW is also exploring partnerships to build two more battery cell plants in the North American Free Trade Area.

Translated from Sina Auto

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