The current batch of electric vehicles built on the BMW Gen5 Battery System. This design needs to survive until BMW swap to the Gen 6 design in 2025.
The battery packs in the BEV and PHEV applications across SUV and Sedan platforms uses prismatic cells from Samsung SDI and CATL in a number of sizes. The modular approach is designed for repair and 2nd life.
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An example of this Gen5 design is the battery pack in the ix3.
- Pack Gravimetric Energy Density = 155Wh/kg
- Pack Gravimetric Power Density = 450W10s/kg
This is an OK performance, the Tesla Model Y 4680 pack is at 161Wh/kg. The 2021 Tesla Model 3 21700 based pack is at 171Wh/kg and 860W10s/kg.
Hence appears that BMW is playing catchup with the Gen5 battery pack design.
BMW Group has partnered with German recycling specialist Duesenfeld to establish a method that can achieve a recycling rate of up to 96% of the materials –including graphite and electrolytes.
The First-Ever BMW iX3. Test Drives October 2020.
Vehicles
- 2020 iX3
- 2021 i4
- 2022 i7
- 2023 i5
References
- BMW GROUP E-MOBILITYSTRATEGY. 20.11.2019
- The First-Ever BMW iX3. Test Drives October 2020.
- Here is a video explaining the BMW fifth generation electric drivetrain, BMWBLOG