CATL is set to supply BMW with cylindrical battery cells from 2025 to power a host of electric vehicles.
The Chinese battery manufacturer recently signed an agreement with BMW and while details on the deal are limited, it is understood that BMW will look to cut costs by using these round cells instead of prismatic ones. Sources tell Auto News Europe that this change could reduce costs by 30 per cent.
Details about CATL’s cylindrical cells are limited as it traditionally supplies most of its car manufacturers with square cells. It is reported that the battery supplier could establish a new factory in the United States to supply various car manufacturers with its new cells, in addition to BMW. Production at this new site could start in 2026.
Read More: BMW’s EV-Dedicated Neue Klasse Platform To Focus On Midsize Segments
It is possible that the cylindrical cells could be used by future BMW models using its upcoming Neue Klasse platform that will debut in 2025.
This BEV-only platform is expected to initially launch under the skin of an EV model in the 3-Series segment. While this architecture is modular, it will be mainly focused on midsize vehicles, even though the car manufacturer had previously suggested that the Neue Klasse platform could underpin vehicles ranging from the 2-Series through to the X7.
BMW is hoping to sell 2 million electric vehicles by 2025 and expects 50 per cent of its sales to be for EVs by 2030 or earlier. Production of the first model using this new architecture will start in 2025 at the automaker’s plant in Hungary.
