Apple Car Production Slated for 2024 With 'Next Level' Battery Technology

Apple is aiming to begin production on an Apple-branded self-driving vehicle starting in 2024, according to a new report shared today by Reuters.

Apple car wheel icon feature blue
Apple has been working on some kind of car project since 2014, and there was a point when it seemed like the company's efforts could be scaled back to autonomous vehicle software, but after several management changes and shifts in hiring, Apple's work on a car has progressed and the company now feels that it is able to build a vehicle for consumers.

Unnamed sources told Reuters that Apple is developing a new battery design that has the potential to "radically" reduce the cost of batteries and increase the vehicle's range.

Apple is building a "monocell" design that will bulk up the individual battery cells and free up space inside the battery pack by removing pouches and modules that hold battery materials. This will allow for more active material in a smaller package.

Apple's design means that more active material can be packed inside the battery, giving the car a potentially longer range. Apple is also examining a chemistry for the battery called LFP, or lithium iron phosphate, the person said, which is inherently less likely to overheat and is thus safer than other types of lithium-ion batteries.

One person who spoke to Reuters described Apple's battery technology as "next level" and said that it's similar to "the first time you saw the iPhone."

Apple will need to tap into a whole new supply chain to produce a car. Apple is said to be planning to rely on a manufacturing partner to build the vehicles. Apple is working with outside partners for car components, such as LiDAR sensors.

The Apple Car could feature multiple LiDAR sensors for scanning different distances, and some of those could be created from Apple's internally developed LiDAR units.

Apple was in talks with Magna International about manufacturing a car, but the talks ended when Apple's plans became unclear. To enter into a contract, Apple may need to commit to high volume sales, as many as 100,000 vehicles annually.

There are years to go before Apple begins production on an Apple Car, and Reuters warns that the company could still choose to scale back the project and reduce the scope of its efforts to an autonomous driving system that would be integrated into a car made by a traditional automaker. Delays caused by the ongoing global health crisis could also push production to 2025 or beyond.

Tag: Reuters

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Top Rated Comments

farewelwilliams Avatar
59 months ago
they couldn't make AirPower but they sure could make a brand new revolutionary battery...?


story is pure BS given the timing of Tesla being inserted into S&P500. sounds like a short seller trying to save itself
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lvivske Avatar
59 months ago
what a crock of s***, this is just stock manipulation
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Psychicbob Avatar
59 months ago
Base model; 1 seat
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sully54 Avatar
59 months ago
More important question is if a charger will be included. You think I'm trying to be clever but This is apple we're talking about. I honestly don't put it past them to charge extra for some sort of charging cable. their excuse might be that charging stations are already common enough that you can charge throughout the day and not need to charge at home.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MICHAELSD Avatar
59 months ago
Tesla has similar ambitions, with a radical plan to increase battery efficiency and bring down cell cost as detailed at its Battery Day event.

The main cost of an electric vehicle is its battery, so any efforts to reduce that would allow an Apple Car to be priced at a more consumer-friendly segment of the market.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smulji Avatar
59 months ago

It was just delayed from 2021 to 2024-2025 if you believe the report that was released yesterday...
The story yesterday was junk written by a lousy publication. Reuters has a much better track record with respect to Apple news. Production around the 2024 / 2025 definitely sounds realistic for an Apple branded vehicle.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)