There have long been rumors that Apple, a company well-known for its revolutionary advancements in consumer electronics, is looking into the car sector. In the background, the IT behemoth secretly collaborated with the Shenzhen-based automaker BYD (Build Your Dreams) in 2017 to create state-of-the-art EV batteries. The partnership concentrated on developing a safer, longer-range battery system with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, a technology that has now grown to be a major component of the contemporary EV market.
This collaboration shows how far Apple went into the automotive sector and how much it invested in the development of EV technology, even though the Apple car project was eventually abandoned. A closer look at this covert partnership, its ramifications, and its consequences for the future of electric vehicles is provided here.
A Secret Partnership with BYD
One of the biggest producers of electric vehicles in China, BYD, and Apple quietly partnered in 2017. As a longtime leader in battery technology and electric vehicles, BYD was an obvious choice for Apple, which was developing its own automobile project under the code name “Project Titan.”
Developing a battery system that would employ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells was the aim of the collaboration. LFP batteries are renowned for their increased safety and longer lifespan in contrast to the more widely used lithium-ion batteries. They are perfect for use in electric vehicles since they are less likely to overheat and more stable at high temperatures.
The choice to concentrate on LFP technology was not made at random. Electric car batteries were still developing in 2017, and battery fire safety issues afflicted several early EV vehicles. By developing safer batteries that might also provide greater driving ranges—a critical component for EV adoption—Apple and BYD saw an opportunity to address this problem.
For years, this covert alliance was kept a secret, with neither Apple nor BYD making the entire scope of their cooperation public. It was a component of Apple’s larger plan to transform transportation with its own electric vehicle, which was once thought to be the company’s next big product line.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Cells: A Game-Changing Technology
It was a calculated decision to concentrate on lithium iron phosphate batteries. The tremendous energy density of lithium-ion batteries made them popular in the EV sector, but there were serious safety concerns as well. However, LFP batteries are more reliable and provide more security, particularly in hot conditions. Because of this, manufacturers who want to emphasize safety without compromising battery life choose them.
Additionally, compared to lithium-ion batteries, LFP cells may be recharged a lot more times before their capacity starts to decline because of their longer cycle life. They are therefore perfect for long-range electric cars, which need strong batteries that endure for many years. Furthermore, LFP batteries are constructed from cheaper and more widely available materials, which may contribute to a decrease in the total cost of producing EVs.
LFP batteries are now an essential aspect of BYD’s Blade Battery technology, which is utilized in many of its current electric vehicles, even though the technology was still in its infancy when Apple and BYD first partnered. Even though Apple does not possess any of the technology utilized in BYD’s Blade batteries, their partnership set the stage for many of the developments in EV battery technology that we see today.
Apple’s Vision for the Automotive Industry
Apple’s broader goal to get into the automotive industry included its involvement in the creation of EV batteries. One of the company’s most eagerly awaited projects was the Apple Car, which was viewed as a possible revolution in the transportation sector. Apple made significant investments in the project; over the last ten years, it is estimated that it has spent about $1 billion a year on research and development for its electric car initiatives.
Apple’s automobile project was beset by internal issues and delays in spite of this large investment. In February 2024, the business decided to abandon the project due to technical issues and multiple leadership changes that occurred during the project. Apple’s deep dive into automotive technology opens the door for future industry attempts, including in software or autonomous driving technologies, even though the corporation may no longer be able to build a car from the bottom up.
Implications for the EV Industry
Apple’s willingness to invest heavily in electric vehicle technologies is demonstrated by their covert partnership with BYD. Although the Apple Car was never developed, Apple and BYD’s collaboration had a significant impact on EV battery technology, especially with regard to the application of LFP cells for long-range EVs.
One of the most promising developments in EV battery technology is BYD’s Blade Battery, which profited from the early work done with Apple. Compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, the Blade Battery is less likely to overheat, safer, and more effective. Additionally, it provides increased durability and a longer range, addressing two of the biggest issues that buyers have with electric vehicles: range anxiety and safety.
The Road Ahead for Apple and BYD
Despite not producing a commercial vehicle in the end, the collaboration between Apple and BYD paved the way for developments in the larger EV sector. Apple’s collaboration with BYD shows that the corporation is open to investing in R&D and exploring new markets, even in fields that are outside its usual focus.
The work that Apple and BYD conducted on battery technology is probably going to have a lasting impact as the demand for electric vehicles keeps growing on a worldwide scale. Future EV models are anticipated to include LFP technology more heavily, and BYD’s sustained success in the electric car market may be partially due to the foundation established during its partnership with Apple.
Although Apple seems to be concentrating on other projects at the moment, its entry into the electric vehicle market has had an impact on the sector. It’s unclear if Apple will eventually return to the automobile industry, possibly concentrating on other technologies or autonomous driving systems.
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