Apple's secret collaboration with BYD on EV battery technology revealed

Apple Inc., the Cupertino-based tech giant, engaged in a secretive partnership with Chinese automaker BYD to develop cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) battery technology. This collaboration, which began around 2017, was part of Apple's ambitious but ultimately abandoned car project, demonstrating the extensive efforts and resources the company dedicated to its automotive ambitions.

Sources familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the project, disclosed that Apple and BYD joined forces to create a battery system utilising lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. The primary goals were to achieve a longer range and enhanced safety compared to conventional EV batteries of that era.

While Apple does not retain ownership of the technology currently employed in BYD's Blade batteries, the partnership illuminates the significant strides the iPhone maker took in its pursuit of producing an Apple-branded vehicle. Over the past decade, Apple reportedly invested approximately USD 1 billion annually into the vehicle project, which was widely regarded as one of the company's potential "next big things" before its cancellation in February 2024.

The collaboration leveraged the strengths of both companies. Apple engineers brought their expertise in advanced battery packs and heat management to the table, while BYD contributed its manufacturing prowess and advancements in LFP cell technology. The resulting technology was highly customised for Apple's once-planned vehicle, showcasing the depth of the company's commitment to entering the automotive market.

When approached for comment, spokespersons for both Apple and BYD declined to discuss the joint battery work. However, BYD did emphasise in an emailed statement that "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."

The roots of this collaboration can be traced back to approximately a decade ago when Apple was in search of core technologies for its car project. BYD engineers presented early versions of the Blade battery to Apple executives, who were impressed by the technology's safety features and energy storage capabilities. Apple subsequently sought customizations to enhance the range potential of an EV.

Key figures in the partnership included Alexander Hitzinger, a former senior Volkswagen and Porsche executive who led product design for Apple's car project from 2016 to 2019, and Mujeeb Ijaz, a veteran of the battery industry who worked at Apple from 2014 to 2020. Ijaz oversaw a team of about 50 battery engineers dedicated to the project. On BYD's side, Michael He, vice president of the company's battery business, played a crucial role.

The fruits of this collaboration are evident in BYD's current product lineup. The Blade battery system, which incorporates design principles informed by the work with Apple, now powers BYD's entire range of vehicles. This technology has been instrumental in BYD's meteoric rise in the EV market. In 2023, BYD sold 3 million electric and hybrid vehicles, a staggering increase from 179,054 units just three years earlier. This success has propelled BYD to become the largest automaker in China by sales and briefly surpass Tesla as the global leader in EV sales.

Despite the years of collaboration, Apple eventually distanced itself from the partnership with BYD and explored battery systems from other manufacturers. The overall car project faced numerous delays, and the challenging economics of the EV industry ultimately led to its cancellation.

While the abandonment of the car project marks a rare high-profile setback for Apple, the decade-long endeavour was not without its benefits. The insights gained from the battery development efforts have contributed to advancements in other Apple products, including the Vision Pro headset and the Neural Engine AI processor now found in most Apple devices. Furthermore, the work has informed the company's emerging initiatives in robotics.