With the launch of its Neue Klasse platform and sequence of electrical fashions, BMW may also introduce its Gen 6 battery expertise, which brings important enhancements in all areas that matter. The producer is touting 30 p.c improved vary, 50 p.c discount of manufacturing price and 60 p.c discount in carbon emissions, in addition to an integration of the battery pack as part of the automotive’s construction.
Automotive Information quotes Simon Erhard, one of many lead engineers behind Gen 6 battery tech growth at BMW Group, who mentioned that “power density is way increased than earlier than. You may put extra cells into the battery pack.” He additionally defined that “with Gen 6, we’re integrating cylindrical battery cells straight into the car.”
Curiously, even with BMW’s engineering prowess, the truth that the producer has not beforehand built-in a battery pack into an EV’s construction appeared evident (as did the truth that work on this was nonetheless ongoing) when Erhard famous that “the principle problem is to attain the best compromise between stiffness and suppleness. Probably the most built-in [design] can be the place the car flooring is the higher a part of the battery pack.”
Erhard additionally mentioned that regardless that BMW will proceed to make use of lithium ion battery expertise for the foreseeable future, the automaker is already taking a look at options, together with stable state batteries. He revealed that “from an power density viewpoint, we’re going through the [limits] of lithium ion cell chemistry in industrialized functions.”
BMW not too long ago introduced its dedication to invest over €2-billion and construct an extension to its Debrecen, Hungary manufacturing facility the place it needs to make battery packs for upcoming Neue Klasse electrical autos. The producer calls this the iFactory and touts it as being probably the most superior such facility wherever on this planet; it would change into operational in the direction of the tip of 2025 and create 500 new jobs.
The plant will stretch over 140,000 m² (1,506,947 sq. ft.) and the plan is for battery manufacturing to return on-line concurrently car manufacturing. Neue Klasse EVs will first start to roll out of the Debrecen manufacturing facility in late 2025, however BMW may also begin manufacturing of autos on this new structure at its Munich plant beginning in 2026.
The precise battery cells gained’t be manufactured regionally and shall be sourced from Nissan-owned Envision Automotive Vitality Provide Company (AESC), positioned within the US, in South Carolina. It is going to be in a position to provide sufficient cells for 300,000 EVs yearly, though in line with a earlier report, it won’t be the only supplier.
SUV and crossover models won’t be assembled in Europe either – they are going to come from BMW’s Spartanburg manufacturing facility the place the automaker plans to construct six completely different fashions by 2030 after deliberate investments of $1.7-billion. Of this, $700-million will go in the direction of the creation of a neighborhood battery manufacturing facility.
