Apple has been collaborating with Chinese automaker BYD for years as part of a now-canceled car project to develop long-range batteries that helped lay the foundation for the technology used today, according to people familiar with the matter. Ta.
Apple and the Shenzhen-based company partnered around 2017 to build battery systems using lithium iron phosphate batteries, the people said, asking not to be identified because the efforts have not been disclosed. . This technology was designed to provide greater range and safety than common electric vehicle batteries at the time.
Although Apple doesn’t own the technology used in BYD’s current Blade battery, this partnership shows how far the iPhone maker has gone in car production. The tech giant had spent about $1 billion a year over the past decade on the vehicle project, considered one of its “next big things,” before canceling the project in February. .
The technology Apple developed with BYD was highly customized for previously planned vehicles, the people said. As part of the secret partnership, Apple engineers brought in advanced battery pack and thermal management expertise. BYD contributed manufacturing know-how and advances using lithium iron phosphate batteries, known as LFPs.
Spokespeople for Apple and BYD declined to comment on the battery collaboration. However, BYD said in an emailed statement that “the blade battery concept was conceived by BYD engineers, who independently developed this LFP blade battery.” BYD retains full ownership and patent rights to the Blade Battery. ”
Today, BYD’s entire lineup of cars is powered by the Blade system, and those involved in its development say the company’s battery pack design leverages lessons learned from Apple’s research. I am.
