German luxury automaker BMW recently announced ambitious plans to increase the range of its flagship iX electric SUV to over 1000km per charge using new battery technology currently under development. If achieved, this would represent a major leap over the current WLTP-rated range of up to 630km for the top-of-the-line iX xDrive50 model.
Promising New Battery Chemistry
The enhanced range would come thanks to BMW’s collaboration with American battery startup Our Next Energy (ONE) to test an experimental battery design. Dubbed Gemini, the new battery chemistry combines two batteries in one pack – a standard lithium-ion battery optimized for everyday driving plus a much higher energy density battery that only kicks in for long-distance highway trips.
The idea is that the lower-capacity daily-use battery would handle most regular commutes and short trips, reducing wear and tear on the larger battery. Meanwhile, the high-energy supplemental battery with improved nickel, manganese and cobalt chemistry can efficiently sustain highway speeds for over 600km before needing to recharge. Together, the BMW and ONE engineering teams believe the innovative dual battery system architecture in the iX test vehicle can deliver over 1000km while maintaining the safety and reliability expected from BMW.
Real-world Testing Underway
BMW’s iX test vehicle fitted with the prototype Gemini battery pack is currently undergoing feasibility testing on real-world roads and conditions. In initial test results released in late 2022, the Gemini battery-equipped iX achieved over 800km in ideal conditions at highway speeds. Importantly, the range dropped less than 4% in cold winter testing at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18C), showcasing the robust thermal management of the new battery design.
If the system proves viable after months of intense testing, the production intent is to roll out 1000km+ range electric vehicles by 2025. The Gemini battery system is also designed to be backwards compatible so that existing iX SUVs on the road today could potentially get the upgrade to unlock drastically increased range.
Lightweighting Design Maximizes Efficiency
Aside from advancements on the battery side, BMW says optimizations to the vehicle design of the iX will also help maximize potential range. Through intelligent lightweighting, improved aerodynamics and sophisticated energy recuperation, less energy will be required to power the ultra-efficient electric drivetrain.
Up front, the iX utilizes an exceptionally stiff aluminum spaceframe with a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof to shed weight. Lightweight materials like aluminum and thermoplastics feature prominently throughout the exterior paneling and interior cabin as well. Exterior tweaks to the front fascia, underbody paneling, wheel designs and rear diffuser further reduce aerodynamic drag.
On the energy recovery side, the latest generation of BMW’s brake energy regeneration system can harvest over 20% extra power through one-pedal driving. With maximum recuperation activated, drivers can go remarkably far between charges even without the range-extending high-capacity battery engaged.
Targeting Affordability & Sustainability
While plenty of electric startups boast figures like 1000km range using cutting-edge battery tech, the key differentiator is whether such innovations can be mass produced at an affordable price point for mainstream buyers. As a luxury player with vast economies of scale, BMW believes hitting cost targets for their next generation battery systems is achievable.
BMW says that by optimizing the battery dimensions and switching to prismatic cell designs, the new Gemini battery pack will require significantly less raw materials than today’s high-range EV batteries. Reduced reliance on heavy metals like nickel and cobalt is expected to lower both economic and environmental impact. Combined with cheaper manufacturing, the result could be 1000km electric vehicles at price parity with conventional petrol options, perhaps within the next 5-10 years.
If BMW manages to deliver on this promise of CharField(1000km range at reasonable prices by the mid-2020s, it could accelerate consumer adoption of electric vehicles. Given strict targets for reducing fleet emissions in key markets like Europe and China, affordable long-range models like the iX will play a major role in BMWs electrified future.
Conclusion
In closing, BMW’s collaboration with startup Our Next Energy represents an exciting step towards unlocking the Holy Grail of 1000km range in mass market electric cars. By intelligently combining a standard everyday battery with a supplemental long-range battery in one pack, range anxiety could become a thing of the past. Ongoing validation testing in extreme cold conditions adds confidence that real-world results could match lab performance.
If BMW manages to scale up manufacturing of these next-gen batteries affordably, we could see ultra-long range vehicles like the iX SUV capable of 1000km range hit the market by 2025. Given the ambitious emissions reductions targets facing automakers today, advancements like this will be key to transition fully to electrified powertrains in the coming decades. BMW is betting heavily that this prototype battery technology in testing today could catapult them to the forefront of long-range electric mobility in the near future.
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What is the BMW electric car 1000km range?
Based on the article, the key points about BMW’s electric car with a targeted 1000km range are:
- It’s an experimental version of BMW’s iX electric SUV that has been outfitted with an innovative new dual battery system called ‘Gemini’ developed by startup Our Next Energy (ONE).
- The Gemini system combines two battery packs in one – a standard battery for everyday driving plus a supplemental high-energy battery that activates for long highway trips.
- Together, the dual battery architecture is able to deliver over 1000km of driving range in testing while maintaining the safety and reliability expected from BMW.
- The production intent is to introduce long-range electric cars capable of 1000+ km range by 2025 using this battery technology.
- The test vehicle has achieved over 800km in initial testing. Range suffers less than 4% loss in cold winter testing as well.
- Lightweighting design, improved aerodynamics and energy recuperation also maximize efficiency and range.
- The new battery pack requires less raw materials and is focused on affordability and sustainability compared to current EV batteries.
So in summary, BMW is testing a dual battery system in an iX electric SUV to enable a 1000+ km real-world driving range by 2025, setting new standards for long-range EVs.
How long can BMW iX battery last?
The article does not provide specific details about the expected battery lifespan of the BMW iX electric SUV. However, here is some relevant information about BMW’s electric vehicle batteries in general:
- BMW currently offers an 8-year or 100,000-mile (160,000 km) warranty on the battery packs in their electric vehicles. This covers defective materials or workmanship.
- In 2020, BMW stated their confidence that current lithium-ion battery packs should last the entire lifecycle of the vehicle, which they expect to be over 10 years.
- Lab testing shows BMW EV battery capacity decreasing only about 10-15% after 6-7 years of simulated usage. There may be some further degradation after that time period.
- The new Gemini dual battery system from ONE that BMW is testing promises even longer lifespan due to having separate batteries optimized for daily and long-distance driving. Less wear & tear.
- Advances in battery chemistry that improve stability and heat resistance also contribute to longer usable lifespans over a vehicle’s operating life.
So while BMW has not provided official lifespan estimates specific to the iX, based on their general EV battery claims and ongoing innovations to extend battery durability, a 10+ year lifespan seems reasonable to expect from the iX’s battery pack with moderate capacity degradation over time. Continued software updates may also help manage battery usage to maximize lifecycle. But real-world usage across vehicles will vary.
What is the battery range of the BMW iX in KM?
According to the article, the current WLTP-rated range for the top BMW iX xDrive50 model is up to 630km on a single charge.
Specifically, the article states:
“If achieved, this would represent a major leap over the current WLTP-rated range of up to 630km for the top-of-the-line iX xDrive50 model.”
So the maximum real-world driving range BMW currently offers for the iX electric SUV is 630km based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) standard.
However, the article also discusses how BMW is working on upgrading the battery technology to achieve over 1000km of range:
“Together, the BMW and ONE engineering teams believe the innovative dual battery system architecture in the iX test vehicle can deliver over 1000km while maintaining the safety and reliability expected from BMW.”
So BMW’s target is to increase the maximum range of the iX to over 1000km by 2025 using the new Gemini dual battery system currently under development and testing. But the currently available production version stands at a WLTP-certified 630km max range.
What is the electric range on BMW iX?
Based on the information in the article, the electric driving range details for the BMW iX are:
Current range:
- Up to 630km WLTP-rated range for the top iX xDrive50 model currently in production.
Targeted future range:
- Over 1000km targeted range with the new Gemini dual battery system that BMW is co-developing with startup Our Next Energy (ONE).
Test vehicle range:
- Over 800km range already achieved in initial testing of the prototype BMW iX with the experimental Gemini battery pack installed.
Cold weather range:
- Less than 4% range loss in cold testing at -18°C for the test BMW iX with Gemini batteries, showcasing robust thermal management.
So in summary, the maximum electric driving range for the BMW iX is currently 630km but likely to increase to 1000+ km by 2025 thanks to a new dual battery architecture in development. Initial prototypes with the new batteries can already achieve over 800km in ideal conditions. Importantly this long range is maintained even in very cold temperatures during testing.
Which EV car has 1000km range?
As per the information in the article, there are currently no production electric vehicles (EVs) on the market that can achieve a real-world driving range of 1000km or more on a single charge.
The article discusses BMW’s plans to upgrade the battery technology of its iX electric SUV to reach over 1000km of range by 2025. This would come from using an experimental dual battery system called “Gemini” that is still in early development and testing stages.
Specifically, the article states:
“If the system proves viable after months of intense testing, the production intent is to roll out 1000km+ range electric vehicles by 2025.”
And:
“BMW is betting heavily that this prototype battery technology in testing today could catapult them to the forefront of long-range electric mobility in the near future.”
So as of late 2022 when this article was written, no production EV can achieve 1000km range yet. BMW hopes to be among the first to break that barrier in the coming years with the iX SUV. Other automakers are likely also working on similar long-range technologies and targets.
But for now, no currently available electric car on sale has been officially rated for or demonstrated a real-world range reaching 1000km on a single charge. The BMW iX with its developmental Gemini battery system aims to change that by the middle of this decade if testing continues to go well.