Apple's Secret Collaboration with BYD: The Untold Story of the Tech Giant's Foray into Electric Vehicles

For years, Apple's rumored self-driving car project was the subject of intense speculation and anticipation. While the tech giant's ambitious plans to enter the automotive industry ultimately fell through, a new report reveals that Apple had been secretly collaborating with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD to develop groundbreaking battery technology that has since found its way into BYD's production vehicles.

Uncovering the Hidden Partnership: Apple's Collaboration with BYD

A Decade-Long Endeavor: Apple's Foray into the Automotive Industry

Apple's venture into the automotive industry was a closely guarded secret for over a decade. The company was rumored to be working on a futuristic self-driving car, with speculations of collaborations with Volkswagen and even a potential deal to acquire McLaren. However, these plans never materialized, and the project was ultimately shelved in February 2023 after a decade of development.

The Unexpected Collaboration: Apple and BYD

Contrary to popular belief, Apple was not working with Volkswagen, McLaren, or even its own supplier Foxconn on its automotive endeavors. Instead, the tech giant had been secretly collaborating with Chinese EV maker BYD since around 2017. The two companies teamed up to co-develop a long-range, safer battery system using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, which would form the basis for the battery technology used in BYD's current models.

Leveraging Expertise: How Apple and BYD Complemented Each Other

The partnership between Apple and BYD was a strategic one, with each company bringing unique strengths to the table. Apple's engineers contributed expertise in advanced battery pack design and heat management, while BYD provided its manufacturing know-how and advancements in LFP cell technology. By combining their respective areas of expertise, the two companies aimed to create a battery system that would be both long-range and safer than the typical electric vehicle batteries available at the time.

The Blade Battery: BYD's Breakthrough Technology

The collaboration between Apple and BYD resulted in the development of BYD's Blade battery technology, which is now used across the Chinese automaker's entire lineup of electric vehicles. The Blade battery is set apart by its unique cell arrangement, which follows a similar method to how Apple stacks cells in its own products, such as laptops. This innovative approach to battery design and engineering has allowed BYD to produce a safe, long-range battery system for its EVs.

The End of Apple's Automotive Ambitions: A Shift in Focus

Despite the success of the Apple-BYD collaboration, the tech giant ultimately decided to back away from its car project and look for another battery partner to work with. However, this search was short-lived, and Apple ultimately canned its quest to build a car of its own earlier this year, after a decade of work on the project. The company's focus has now shifted to other areas, leaving the fruits of its collaboration with BYD to be enjoyed by the Chinese automaker's customers.