BMW is taking the opposite approach to General Motors. The U.S. automaker is betting on very large pouch cells in its Ultium EVs, although it has also said it will be flexible on battery cells—and that cylindrical ones are coming.
"We looked at high energy compared with the production cost. High energy isn’t possible in a big cell. The cylindrical cell is the way to go, it’s our choice. It offers more flexibility.”
The new cylindrical cells will have a diameter of 46 millimeters and heights of either 95 millimeters or 120 millimeters, according to the report, with higher nickel and lower cobalt content on the cathode side and increased silicon content on the anode side, according to the Automotive News Europe report.