BMW to Test ONE's Advanced Battery in its iX Electric SUV

An electric-powered BMW iX is displayed at the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 22, 2022. (Reuters)
An electric-powered BMW iX is displayed at the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 22, 2022. (Reuters)
TT
20

BMW to Test ONE's Advanced Battery in its iX Electric SUV

An electric-powered BMW iX is displayed at the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 22, 2022. (Reuters)
An electric-powered BMW iX is displayed at the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 22, 2022. (Reuters)

BMW will install and test a long-range battery developed by Michigan-based startup Our Next Energy (ONE) in the German automaker's iX electric SUV, the companies said on Tuesday.

ONE's Gemini battery will incorporate two types of battery cells, including one with advanced chemistry that can store more energy and enable vehicle range of 600 miles (965 km) or more between charges, the battery maker said. The prototype vehicle is expected to be completed by year-end, ONE said.

The Gemini battery aims to reduce the use of such traditional EV battery materials as cobalt, nickel, graphite and lithium, according to Mujeeb Ijaz, ONE founder and chief executive.

Ijaz said ONE is testing different electrode chemistries in Gemini, while evaluating the potential tradeoffs in cost, energy and sustainability.

ONE might offer a production version of the battery in three different sizes and prices, Ijaz said, including a low-end version that would cost the same as today's conventional nickel- and cobalt-based batteries, "if not a little lower."

Ijaz said ONE is discussing similar prototype testing of its Gemini battery with other companies.

In March, BMW's corporate venture arm led a $65 million funding round in ONE. Other investors in that round included Coatue Management, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Assembly Ventures, Flex and Volta Energy Technologies.

In December, ONE said an early prototype of the Gemini battery, retrofitted in a Tesla Model S sedan, delivered more than 750 miles (1,200 km) of range, well in excess of the best production electric vehicles on the market.

Since its founding in 2020, ONE has focused development on a long-range battery that uses safer and more sustainable materials, while packing more energy into a smaller, less expensive package.

In a statement, BMW executive Juergen Hildinger said the automaker is exploring opportunities "to integrate ONE's battery technologies into models of our future BEV (battery electric vehicle) product lineup."



Aramco, BYD Partner to Develop New Energy Vehicle Technologies

Aramco logo/File Photo
Aramco logo/File Photo
TT
20

Aramco, BYD Partner to Develop New Energy Vehicle Technologies

Aramco logo/File Photo
Aramco logo/File Photo

Saudi Aramco and BYD, a leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, have agreed to explore closer collaboration on new energy vehicle technologies, Aramco announced in a press release on Monday.
A joint development agreement signed by Saudi Aramco Technologies Company (SATC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aramco, and BYD aims to foster the development of innovative technologies that enhance efficiency and environmental performance.
According to the release, this collaboration leverages the research and development capabilities of two leading global companies to achieve breakthroughs in new energy vehicles, SPA reported.
Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight and Coordination Ali A. Al-Meshari stated: "The collaboration between SATC and BYD aims to support improvements and builds on Aramco’s extensive research and development of new energy solutions. Aramco is exploring several ways to optimize transport efficiency, from innovative lower-carbon fuels to advanced powertrain concepts. This work stems from our belief that practical energy transition requires multiple approaches, and we are delighted to collaborate with BYD on this journey."
Senior Vice President of BYD Luo Hongbin said: "We expect that SATC and our cutting-edge R&D capabilities in new energy vehicles will break the boundaries of geography and mindset to incubate solutions that combine highly efficient performance with a lower carbon footprint."