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BMW Group and Toyota Motor sign lithium-ion battery collaborative research agreement

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) have signed an agreement on collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells and have begun said research. The agreement follows the memorandum of understanding concerning a mid-to-long-term collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly vehicles and technologies announced by the two companies on 1 December 2011. (Earlier post.)

The research project being undertaken under the agreement is focusing on increasing the performance and capacity of lithium-ion battery cells through the use of new combinations of materials for cathodes, anodes and electrolytes.

In addition to the collaborative research agreement between BMW Group and TMC, Toyota Motor Europe (TME), TMC’s European subsidiary, and BMW Group entered into a contract—also announced on 1 December—under which BMW Group is to supply highly efficient 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter diesel engines to TME starting in 2014.

Comments

HarveyD

Will BMW use this JV to accelerate the development of improved batteries or to promote the sales of their advanced diesel ICE?

Davemart

Since BMW are producing the all electric i3 and have invested several hundred millions to do so, including the first use in car mass production of carbon fibre, it seems a pretty safe bet that they want to continue to improve the batteries in that and the hybrids they are also developing.

HarveyD

If so, future BMW-Toyota electrified vehicles could be in the top 5.

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