Apple worked with BYD for years on its now-cancelled car program, developing long-range batteries that helped lay the groundwork for the technology used today.
As it states BloombergApple and the Shenzhen-based company partnered around 2017 to build LFP batteries, with Apple engineers working on the project having expertise in advanced battery packs and thermal management, while BYD used its phosphate cell skills lithium iron and the ability to manufacture batteries.
The technology was designed to have a longer range and be safer than standard electric vehicle batteries at the time. BYD showed Apple early versions of the Blade battery currently used in its electrics.
Apple was impressed and believed it could use BYD’s cells in a battery of its own internal design. Apple thought it could adapt and improve the Blade battery to boost the range of the electric car it was preparing, a project it canceled earlier this year, also abandoning its partnership with BYD.
BYD states that the Blade battery technology is its own, emphasizing:
The idea for the Blade battery was started by BYD engineers, who independently developed this LFP Blade battery. BYD holds full property rights and patent rights for the Blade battery.
Source: www.autoblog.gr
