Roger Fingas
Apple is secretly working with a Chinese firm on research and development of auto batteries, suggesting it may be interested in more than just software for self-driving cars, according to one report.
The Chinese company — Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) — has signed a confidentiality agreement, sources told Yicai Global on Thursday. Few other details were available, and CATL has officially refused to comment.
To date Apple has only been testing modified existing vehicles on public roads. The company was at one point rumored to be building a complete electric car, but in the past year "Project Titan" is thought to have switched focus to software.
If the CATL partnership is authentic, Apple may have reached an expected decision on whether or not to move ahead with an internally designed car. The company would need an especially powerful battery to match the 200-mile-plus range on vehicles like Tesla's Model 3.
Indeed the company could end up spending many billions if it wants to enter the market, not the least because it would need to develop still more technologies and contract with outside parts and assembly firms. Tesla has an inherent advantage in the battery arena thanks to the Nevada-based Gigafactory, which may eventually be joined by several other factories worldwide.
Earlier rumors hinted that Apple was targeting a 2021 release date, but it's possible that the changing gears in the project could translate into a delay.
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
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13 Comments
I'm expecting an Apple designed car or SUV based on a Volvo platform but manufactured by Geely in China.
Im not sure if I am happy that Apple as an electric vehicle manufacturer would give American car manufacturers a kick in the butt for how they have dragged their feet on EVs or angry that Apple will doubtless put American workers out of business.
Saw this today 😂
The Apple Car
If someone comes up with a truly huge breakthrough on battery technology -- and I mean something like 10x the current energy density or 10x faster charging -- then they could make trillions of dollars on it. Wait, that won't work because the US patent and trademark office has already given VirnetX or some other troll a patent on all batteries that can store more energy or charge more quickly.