The BMW iX managed almost 1000 km (608 miles) with the dual battery from ONE. American battery company Our Next Energy (ONE) has for several years been working on an electric car battery that should provide higher energy density and longer ranges. Among other things, they doubled the range of a Tesla Model S two winters ago.
That attention made BMW interested in the company. Now ONE has demonstrated its battery technology Gemini in the large SUV BMW iX. The high energy density of the company’s batteries made it possible to store a full 185 kWh in the same space as a standard electric car battery pack.
The tests carried out by ONE showed that the BMW iX could cover up to 979 kilometers on a single charge (WLTP). The technology behind the company’s batteries is based on a combination of two battery chemistries.
ONE has chosen to use lithium iron phosphate cells (LFP) for the daily journeys under 240 kilometers. For longer trips beyond 240 kilometers, another part of the battery is used, based on a more expensive andofri cell chemistry with a higher energy density that ONE describes as its “range extender” cell. The energy can flow freely between the two battery chemistries through a DC-to-DC converter.
– Electric cars will achieve mass adoption when they offer enough range for people to feel comfortable with an electric car as their only vehicle. The Gemini battery has proven that it can double the range of electric cars and break down the biggest barrier to electrification, said Mujeeb Ijaz, CEO and founder of ONE.
The idea of combining the two battery chemistries is to provide cheaper batteries, while still being able to deliver the performance of the more expensive, high-performance cells when needed. In addition to the longer range, the company’s Gemini technology reduces lithium use by up to 20 percent, graphite use by 60 percent, and minimizes the use of nickel and cobalt.
It is something that the company hopes will be able to provide a more sustainable energy storage technology that reduces environmental impact and lowers costs.
– The 979 kilometers achieved by the BMW iX equipped with the Gemini battery is an impressive demonstration. We enjoy working with the team at ONE and look forward to taking the next step together, comments Jürgen Hildinger, Head of High Voltage Technology at the BMW Group.
