This will be a game-changer for the new electric SUV.
BMW doesn't hide the fact that it's coming after Tesla with its new range of electric vehicles, and as part of its all-out EV conquest, it's pushing the boundaries of battery tech further with every passing week. The German auto manufacturer recently partnered with Michigan-based startup Our Next Energy (ONE) to test a new long-range battery in its iX SUV which promises a maximum range of 600 miles. This comes after BMW and Ford secured a joint partnership with Solar Power batteries in the US to develop solid-state batteries. As the company's EV tech continues to grow, we expect to see the range of its vehicles grow even further, but a 600-mile range is seriously impressive, especially when you consider the BMW iX's size and weight.
The new battery pack, named Gemini, features cutting-edge technology that enables it to store more energy and offer up to 600 miles of range. One key feature of the new battery is its reduced use of traditional lithium-ion battery materials such as cobalt, lithium, graphite and nickel. ONE's dual-chemistry battery reduces lithium use by 20 percent and graphite use by 60 percent.
"We are thrilled to be working with BMW to demonstrate our Gemini long-range battery technology to consumers. As EV adoption grows, drivers are learning that real-world conditions can significantly reduce the performance of their batteries. We plan to pack twice as much energy into batteries, so EVs can easily handle long-distance driving in real-world conditions," said Mujeeb Ijaz, founder and CEO of ONE.
ONE and BMW are now getting ready to fit its latest battery tech in an iX, and hopes to see some impressive numbers after seeing ranges of up to 750 miles when the same tech was fitted to a Tesla Model S sedan in December last year. After providing funding of $65 million to ONE's battery tech development in March, BMW wants to feature the new tech in its production vehicles in the near future.
"We hope to integrate ONE's battery technologies into models of our future BEV (battery electric vehicle) product lineup," said BMW executive Juergen Hildinger. The BMW iX currently offers a maximum range of 300 miles from its 111.5 kWh battery, and supports charging up to 195 kW. The ONE Gemini battery will effectively double its range while being cheaper to manufacture.
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