Apple’s secret BYD collaboration pioneered long-range EV battery technology

Apple partnered with Chinese automaker BYD for several years as part of its now-shelved car project, focusing on the development of long-range batteries.

This collaboration, which remained under wraps until recently, played a key role in shaping current battery technologies, according to sources familiar with the project, as per various reports.

The partnership began around 2017. Both companies worked together on a battery system using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. Their goal was to create safer and more efficient electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

The technology was meant to offer longer range and improved safety compared to typical EV batteries of the time. While Apple doesn’t hold the rights to BYD’s current Blade battery technology, this collaboration reveals how seriously the tech giant took its ambitions to enter the automotive market.

As reported by Bloomberg , Apple spent an estimated $1 billion annually over the last decade on its vehicle project, often hailed as one of its “next big things” before it was officially canceled in February.

The customized battery system for Apple’s EV

The battery system Apple developed with BYD was highly customized for Apple’s envisioned electric vehicle. Apple engineers brought their expertise in advanced battery pack design and heat management, while BYD contributed its manufacturing capabilities and breakthroughs with LFP cells .

This collaboration provided valuable insights, even though Apple never owned the Blade battery technology.

In a statement issued to Bloomberg , BYD said, “The concept for the Blade battery originated with BYD engineers, who independently developed this LFP Blade battery. BYD holds complete property rights and patent rights for the Blade battery.”

Despite this, insiders have mentioned that the design of BYD’s Blade battery was influenced by Apple’s early contributions, especially in the areas of safety and energy storage.

BYD’s Blade battery is now used in all its electric vehicles, helping the company grow its sales. In 2023, BYD sold 3 million electric and hybrid vehicles, a massive jump from just 179,054 units sold three years earlier.

This success helped BYD briefly surpass Tesla as the world’s top EV seller, cementing its place as China’s largest automaker by sales.

The end of Apple’s car dream and new beginnings

The seeds of this partnership were sown nearly a decade ago when Apple was searching for core technologies for its car project. BYD engineers showcased early versions of their Blade battery , impressing Apple executives with its potential for safety and storage, as per reports.

At the time, Apple had already been working on various battery technologies, including nickel and alkaline batteries, and had invested millions in developing battery packs. The goal was to combine the efforts of both companies to create a long-range, safe battery system for Apple’s electric vehicle.

The collaboration was reportedly led by Alexander Hitzinger, a former senior Volkswagen and Porsche executive, and Mujeeb Ijaz, a battery expert from the failed A123 Systems. Ijaz led a team of about 50 battery engineers at Apple, working closely with BYD’s vice president of the battery business, Michael He.

Although Apple eventually stepped away from the partnership, it did consider other battery makers before pulling the plug on its car project. The EV effort suffered from repeated delays, and the complexities of the EV market became overwhelming. Ultimately, Apple canceled the car project, marking a rare high-profile setback for the company.

However, Apple’s car project wasn’t a total loss. The work done in battery technology helped the company develop other products, such as the Vision Pro headset and the Neural Engine AI processor found in many of its devices today.

It also laid the foundation for Apple’s growing interest in robotics, showcasing how a canceled project can still drive innovation in unexpected ways.