TL;DR
- Apple reportedly partnered with BYD to make long-running EV batteries.
- The partnership started around 2017 and lasted for years.
- Apple backed out in February 2024 as the plans didn’t materialize.
Apple Inc. is determined to lead in the realm of innovation across all sectors. The company’s ambition to excel is evident in its covert partnership with the Chinese automobile manufacturer BYD, which remained undisclosed for several years.
According to a recent report from Bloomberg, this collaboration aimed to develop a vehicle that would pose significant competition to Tesla on a global scale. Although Apple and BYD worked together on this initiative for an extended period, the car project has now been terminated. Their collaboration focused on creating long-range batteries for electric vehicles, which would have established the foundation for current technologies.
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Apple-BYD Secret Partnership
Apple collaborated with Shenzhen-based BYD around 2017 to develop a battery utilizing lithium iron phosphate cells. This information has come to light from individuals involved in the project, who requested anonymity due to the cancellation of the entire initiative. At that time, the technology aimed to create batteries that were longer-lasting (offering more range to EVs) and safer than conventional electric vehicle batteries (Which means no accidental failures).
Despite the cancellation of the plans and the fact that Apple no longer possesses any technology related to BYD’s Blade Batteries, this endeavor highlights Apple’s ambition to create a top-tier vehicle. Over the course of nearly a decade, Apple invested close to 1 billion dollars, equivalent to approximately Rs. 8045 crores, into this automotive project, which was considered one of the company’s significant future ventures before it was ultimately abandoned in February 2024.
The technology that Apple and BYD aimed to develop was specifically tailored for a previously planned vehicle. During this confidential collaboration, Apple recruited engineers specializing in advanced battery systems and thermal management to ensure its success. BYD was focused on offering its expertise in manufacturing and advancements related to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells.
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While representatives from both Apple and BYD declined to comment on the partnership because it was a secret, BYD did state in an email that “the concept for the Blade battery originated with BYD engineers who independently developed the LFP Blade Battery. BYD holds complete property rights and patent rights for the Blade Battery.” This need for clarification means the company was doubtful that Apple might try to stake its claim over Blade Battery.
The partnership between Apple and BYD began approximately ten years ago when Apple sought essential technologies for its automotive project. During this period, BYD engineers were developing early iterations of the Blade Battery, which impressed Apple executives with its safety features and energy storage potential.
This led to a collaboration where Apple requested specific modifications to enhance the electric vehicle’s range. Concurrently, Apple was exploring various battery technologies, including nickel and alkaline batteries, and investing millions in the design and engineering of battery packs to maximize cell efficiency. Both companies recognized the value of joining forces to create a reliable, long-range battery system for Apple’s vehicle.
The collaboration on Apple’s end was spearheaded by Alexander Hitzinger, a former senior executive at Volkswagen AG and Porsche, who managed product design for the automotive initiative from 2016 to 2019. Additionally, Apple brought on Mujeeb Ijaz, a seasoned professional from the now-defunct American battery startup A123 Systems LLC, who was with Apple from 2014 to 2020. Ijaz led a team of approximately 50 battery engineers dedicated to the project.
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Although BYD is currently one of the largest automakers in China, Apple’s collaboration with the company has been deemed unsuccessful. After several years of working together, Apple reportedly distanced itself from BYD and began exploring options with other battery manufacturers, according to sources. The Apple X BYD car initiative encountered numerous delays, and the financial viability of the electric vehicle market ultimately led to the project’s downfall.
The cancellation of Apple’s car project marked a significant and unusual setback for one of the world’s largest corporations. Nevertheless, the partnership yielded some positive outcomes. In addition to providing valuable insights into battery technology, it contributed to the advancement of products such as the Vision Pro Headset and the Neural Engine AI, which is now integrated into many Apple devices. Furthermore, this collaboration facilitated Apple’s entry into the robotics sector.
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