Apple’s now-cancelled car project reportedly involved a significant collaboration with Chinese automaker BYD, according to Bloomberg. The partnership, which began around 2017, aimed to develop a battery system based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, which were expected to offer enhanced safety and longer range compared to standard electric vehicle batteries at the time. Apple brought in engineering expertise in areas such as heat management and advanced battery packs, while BYD contributed its manufacturing capabilities and proprietary LFP technologies.
The joint effort focused on creating an exclusive battery for the tech giant’s now-cancelled car project, with BYD showcasing its innovative “Blade” battery technology during initial discussions. Apple executives were reportedly impressed by the Blade battery’s superior safety features and capacity, which became a key selling point for BYD’s electric vehicles. The system was designed to significantly improve the autonomy of the iPhone maker’s own electric vehicle.
Despite the promise of the partnership and the potential of the battery system, the company eventually pulled back from the car project in early 2023. It’s speculated that Apple had been investing an estimated $1 billion per year into the venture since 2014, but it ultimately decided to halt the initiative. Reports also suggest that it explored alternatives with other companies, but did not proceed with its own vehicle.
Though the so-called Apple Car did not come to fruition (no pun intended), the collaboration was not without benefit, as insights gained from the battery development process contributed to advancements in other products from the tech giant. Specifically, Bloomberg notes that the expertise Apple garnered from this project played a role in the development of the Vision Pro and the Neural Engine chip.
(Source: Bloomberg)
