BMW’s next-generation of electric vehicles, due to arrive from 2025 onwards, will feature new cylindrical battery cells that the firm claims will offer 30 per cent more range – and could be 50 per cent cheaper to produce.
The German company is working on a new line of bespoke battery electric vehicles which it has called Neue Klasse. It says that models will adopt a “radically new” approach to sustainability, along with new design and new technology.
Keep up to date with the world of e-mobility: get our FREE newsletter
BMW has now revealed the new line-up of machines will use newly developed round battery cells, which will be built in six factories worldwide by partners including battery giants CATL and EVE Energy.
The new cylindrical batteries will be a significant departure from BMW’s current prismatic cells, with the firm claiming that the switch offers major benefits in terms of energy density, charging speed, range and cost.
The cylindrical cells will be 46mm in diameter, which matches the new ‘4680’ cells that Tesla is planning to introduce on future vehicles. As the name suggests, Tesla’s cells are 80mm long. BMW will offer two sizes, and while it hasn’t confirmed those it is understood one will match the dimensions of the Tesla.
Frank Weber, BMW’s development boss, said that the new lithium-ion cells “will bring a huge leap in technology that will increase energy density by more than 20 percent, improve charging speed by up to 30 percent and enhance range by up to 30 percent.”
He added that BMW was also planning to reduce CO2 emissions from cell production by up to 60 per cent. The firm has also said that its production partners have agreed to use “a percentage of secondary materials” for the lithium, cobalt and nickel used in the cells.
Notably, BMW says that a combination of the new battery cell and how it will be integrated into its cars could reduce costs by up to 50 per cent compared to its current batteries. BMW says this will be a big step towards its goal of producing full electric models that cost the same as combustion engined machines.
The round cells will feature a higher percentage of nickel content on the cathode side than BMW’s current prismatic cells, which reduces the amount of cobalt used. Meanwhile, the anode side features a greater level of silicon content, which BMW says increases the volumetric energy density by more than 20 per cent.
BMW also says that the battery system will be a key part of the structure of the Neue Klasse cars, and for certain models the battery pack can be integrated directly into the body space - removing the need for the cell module level.
The Neue Klasse battery, drivetrain and charger will all run on 800V architecture, which will enable ultra-fast charging – BMW claims a 10 to 80 per cent charge will be up to 30 per cent quicker.
BMW also says that the new battery cells will offer lots of options for the future. It says that there is the potential to use cathodes made of lithium-iron phosphate, which would allow it to remove the cobalt and nickel entirely.
The firm is also continuing to research solid-state battery technology – and has pledged to launch a demonstrator vehicle featuring the technology before 2025.
The new cylindrical batteries won’t just be used on BMW models: they will also likely be adopted by sister brands Mini and Rolls-Royce.
The six battery cell factories that BMW is planning with its partners will each have an annual capacity of up to 20GWh. Two of the factories will be in Europe, two in China and two in North America.
READ MORE
Subscribe to the Move Electric newsletter
e-CARS
Video: Can the National Grid cope with a surge in electric vehicles?
e-BIKES
What to look for when buying an e-bike: Move Electric's top tips
The rise of Volt Bikes: 'when we launched, people thought we were mad'
e-MOTORBIKES
Maeving RM1 electric motorbike review
Q&A: Zapp founder on why electric mopeds are the future
Government plans 2035 ban on new non-zero emission motorbike sales
e-SCOOTERS
Tier to upgrade e-scooter fleet with a smart 'Parrot'
Q&A: Neuron Mobility's UK boss on e-scooters, safety and helmet selfies
e-WORLD
Polestar to supply battery tech to electric boat firm Candela
Engineering giant ABB working on electric Dover-Calais ferry