Toyota & BMW to work together on next-gen lithium-ion batteries
Late last year we learnt that BMW and Toyota are to work more closely to share technology and expertise as the car industry enters a period of consolidation and partnership to try and keep R&D costs under control, and make their products more cost-effective.
The result of the BMW Toyota tie-up sees BMW getting access to some of Toyota’s Hybrid nous and Toyota getting access to BMW’s excellent diesel engines. And now we learn the companies have signed an agreement to work together on next generation lithium-ion battery technology.
The aim – understandably – is to try and make battery technology properly usable in cars. Current battery technology has moved on little in the last century and BMW and Toyota are seeking to increase the performance and capacity of lithium-ion cells by using new combinations of materials for cathodes, anodes and electrolytes.
A sensible aim and collaboration if EVs and hybrids are ever going to be more than a sop to eco concerns.
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