BMW iX to test 965km range battery

BMW will test an iX electric SUV with a claimed 965km range enabled by a new battery chemistry from Our Next Energy (ONE), Electrek reports.

It says Michigan-based energy storage company ONE has announced it will test its Gemini battery in the BMW iX, the prototype test vehicle reportedly expected to be ready later this year.

ONE says the battery pack uses a dual battery chemistry with part of the pack for power delivery (LiFePoc) and the rest for energy storage (LiMnO).

Gemini’s technology aims to reduce lithium use by 20%, graphite by 60% and to minimise nickel and cobalt use, leading to more sustainable energy storage technology which can reduce environmental impact, ONE adds.

“We plan to pack twice as much energy into batteries, so EVs can easily handle long-distance driving in real-world conditions,” says ONE founder and chief executive Mujeeb Ijaz.

BMW Group new technologies representative Jürgen Hildinger says the group is confident the battery pack’s economic viability can lead to integration of ONE’s battery technologies into future BMW BEV models.