Photo: Apple
While Apple has remained completely tight-lipped on its car ambitions, the whole world already knows the company is working on an electric vehicle.
And while the Cupertino-based iPhone maker is struggling to keep all details secret, a new report from Reuters provides us with a closer look at what’s happening beyond its closed doors.
As it turns out, the development of the Apple Car has recently hit another roadblock, as the talks between Apple and its potential battery suppliers have failed to reach a conclusion.
Apple has reportedly reached out to CATL and BYD to discuss a potential battery supplying deal, but the iPhone maker had one major requirement that both companies didn’t agree with: set up a U.S. production plant for domestic operations.
Using this approach, Apple hoped to escape the potential tensions between the United States and China and therefore prevent any potential sanctions. But neither CATL nor BYD seem to agree with this proposal, even if the latter already has a battery plant in Lancaster, California.
Building a new facility specifically for Apple isn’t something the two companies are willing to do, the report reveals, not only because of the costs that would be required for such an approach but also due to the struggle to find the necessary staff.
Apple, on the other hand, already has a backup plan, it seems. While it still hopes the talks with CATL and BYD would resume at one point, it’s already getting ready to reach out to Panasonic.
There’s one problem, though. Apple still doesn’t want to give up on its requirement of manufacturing the batteries in a dedicated plant in the United States, with the entire output to go exclusively to the Apple Car. Panasonic has so far remained tight-lipped on this potential collaboration, so it remains to be seen if the company is willing to set up a new battery factory in the United States.
People familiar with the matter expect the Apple Car to launch in 2025 at the earliest, but it’s not known if these failed battery talks are causing any significant delay.
As it turns out, the development of the Apple Car has recently hit another roadblock, as the talks between Apple and its potential battery suppliers have failed to reach a conclusion.
Apple has reportedly reached out to CATL and BYD to discuss a potential battery supplying deal, but the iPhone maker had one major requirement that both companies didn’t agree with: set up a U.S. production plant for domestic operations.
Using this approach, Apple hoped to escape the potential tensions between the United States and China and therefore prevent any potential sanctions. But neither CATL nor BYD seem to agree with this proposal, even if the latter already has a battery plant in Lancaster, California.
Building a new facility specifically for Apple isn’t something the two companies are willing to do, the report reveals, not only because of the costs that would be required for such an approach but also due to the struggle to find the necessary staff.
Apple, on the other hand, already has a backup plan, it seems. While it still hopes the talks with CATL and BYD would resume at one point, it’s already getting ready to reach out to Panasonic.
There’s one problem, though. Apple still doesn’t want to give up on its requirement of manufacturing the batteries in a dedicated plant in the United States, with the entire output to go exclusively to the Apple Car. Panasonic has so far remained tight-lipped on this potential collaboration, so it remains to be seen if the company is willing to set up a new battery factory in the United States.
People familiar with the matter expect the Apple Car to launch in 2025 at the earliest, but it’s not known if these failed battery talks are causing any significant delay.
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