BMW appears confident in its latest battery cell advancements, boasting that Tesla is attempting to “plug the gap” with their own offerings.
As the electric vehicle market gains momentum, Tesla’s dominance in battery technology owes much to its pioneering investment in joint-venture battery manufacturing with Panasonic, securing a head start in this crucial component of EVs.
Notwithstanding, other automakers have since followed suit, bridging the gap with their own investments.
BMW asserts that it has finally bridged the gap. BMW is poised to unveil its sixth proprietary battery cell innovation, engineered in-house at the company’s Cell Manufacturing Competence Center in Parsdorf, Germany. BMW asserts that the latest advancements in their lithium-ion battery technology include:
- Improved text:
The new watch features a larger display size of either 46 mm x 95 mm or 120 mm, depending on the specific model.
- 20% enhance in power density
- 60% decrease production-related carbon emissions
- They claim an additional 30% range boost for electric vehicles (EVs), capped at around 500 miles (approximately 800 kilometers). This increased capacity is based on the entire battery pack, rather than individual cell performance.
According to BMW’s manufacturing chief, Milan Nedeljkovic, the company’s manufacturing processes have surpassed those of Tesla in terms of efficiency.
Can we close the gap with Tesla? In reality, we can’t find a single point where Tesla… Instead, what we currently have is a battery design tailored to our products, and our understanding of how driving efficiency is achieved in our vehicles.
BMW’s latest cell utilises a format pioneered by Tesla in 2020 – the 4680 design – a significant innovation in cylindrical battery technology that the automaker has further expanded upon.
BMW is expanding its production capacity for the new electric model in Germany, but intends to partner with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) for large-scale manufacturing.
Nedeljkovic had a striking analogy regarding the trajectory of
When preparing dinner, having a great recipe is essential, as it sets the tone for the entire culinary experience. We elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms that govern cellular processes, incorporating concepts from chemistry and physics to deepen our understanding of cellular function. We modify the content to assess how each individual component affects performance. To successfully commercialize your product, it’s crucial to identify and implement a suitable manufacturing process that aligns with your unique recipe requirements. That’s why we’ve established a manufacturing facility in Parsdorf to guarantee our dish meets high standards of quality, with a taste that’s remarkably close to its intended flavor profile.
While discussions about electric vehicles (EVs) often convey a sense of optimism, it’s important to note that the sixth-generation BMW batteries won’t be integrated into new EV models until 2025 at the earliest.
Electrek’s Take
It appears to me that this is mostly a non-argumentative statement. While there’s a possibility that BMW genuinely attempted to reverse-engineer Tesla’s 4680 technology, I’m skeptical about the likelihood of their success, even with a concerted effort to gain an advantage.
Although Tesla continues to refine its 4680 cell technology, it still lags behind the ambitious targets announced at Battery Day, with significant work needed before it can meet those lofty expectations.
The key consideration for mass-market vehicles lies in the cost-effectiveness of large-scale production of battery cells.
While BMW may not currently possess this technology, there’s still a significant gap of two years before its arrival. Let’s wait and see if these claims hold up until then.
While other major automotive brands continue to struggle to match Tesla’s innovation pace in battery technology, it’s refreshing to see a significant legacy manufacturer stepping up its game and competing with Elon Musk’s electric pioneer.
