Apple wants to build a battery factory for electric vehicles. He talks to BYD and CATL

Apple is in preliminary talks with Chinese cell and battery manufacturers CATL and BYD. CATL is one of the largest manufacturers of lithium-ion cells in the world, while BYD (4th in the world) appears to be the leader in building structural batteries based on its own developed lithium iron phosphate cells.

Apple with US battery factories

It seems that the days when the greatest asset of every CEO was to reduce production costs through outsourcing is coming to an end. Apple, yes, is in discussion with Chinese suppliers, but plans to launch cell and battery factories in the United States. Business negotiations are at such a stage that it is unclear if they will culminate in any conclusion or cooperation, Reuters reports.

CATL is today the main supplier of lithium-ion cells for many Chinese companies, it also supports Tesla, the former PSA group, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, ... BYD produces mainly for its own needs, it is open to other companies in the auto industry only in April 2021 ... Both companies are intensively developing lithium iron phosphate cells (LFP, LiFePO₄), which have a lower energy density than cells with [Li-] NMC or [Li-] NCA cathodes, but are safer and cheaper than them.

In January 2021, there were speculations that Apple would build its car in collaboration with either Hyundai or Kia. Ultimately, Hyundai dropped those claims and was replaced - at least rumored - by China's Foxconn, which already makes iPhones for Apple. Foxconn has an EV platform ready, has a well thought out powertrain, but it is not known if it has contracts to supply a large number of cells and ideas for a car body and interior.