BMW vows next-gen EV batteries will slash costs and boost range by 30%
BMW is preparing for a “technological quantum leap ” with its next-gen EV batteries. The German automaker claims its new tech will deliver 30% more driving range, 30% faster charging, and perhaps, most importantly, at a cheaper price.
BMW’s next-gen EV batteries will boost range, cut costs
With the debut of its first Neue Klasse, or “New Class” EV, in just a few months, BMW is giving us a closer look at the batteries and electric drive systems.
BMW revealed new details of its 800V platform that will underpin upcoming BMW, Mini, and Rolls Royce brand EV models. The platform, dubbed “Gen6,” is a “quantum leap forward” compared to its current electric cars.
BMW claims its sixth-generation eDrive system will deliver “30% faster charging speed and a 30% increase in range.” And some models may offer even more performance.
“We are leading the way with this drivetrain technology,” boasted Dr Joachim Post, a member of BMW’s purchasing and supplier network board.
The new NMC batteries feature BMW’s Gen6 cylindrical cells, which are said to offer 20% greater energy density than their predecessor, the Gen5 prismatic battery cell. BMW confirmed it will also offer bidirectional charging as standard in Gen6 models.
Their slimmer, more efficient “cell-to-pack” design makes it easier to package. More importantly, most development and assembly are now done in-house, which will help BMW drastically cut production costs.
Drastic improvements are coming soon
To give you an idea, the 2024 BMW i4, the luxury brand’s top-selling EV in the US last year, has an EPA-estimated range of up to 301 miles with fast charging (10% to 80%) in about 31 minutes. A 30% improvement suggests just over 390 miles driving range with fast charging in under 22 minutes.
BMW made several improvements to the electric motor, including a second asynchronous motor (ASM) motor that will be fitted on the front axle of AWD Neue Klasse models.
Other improvements include a new water and oil cooling system, an integrated inverter, and redesigned central housing to reduce weight.
The new EV batteries are assembled at five production plants as part of BMW’s “local for local” strategy, including in Bavaria (Irlbach-Straßkirchen), Hungary (Debrecen), China (Shenyang), Mexico (San Luis Potosí), and the US (Woodruff, near Spartanburg). BMW also secured supply agreements with five battery cell factories across Europe, China, and the US.
BMW said its new tech reduces energy losses by 40%, costs by 20%, and weight by 10% compared to a Gen5 xDrive model.
BMW Energy Master, the control unit for the electric motor and electric system, will be produced at its Plant Landshut (Bavaria), where it will also be fitted with the battery. The electric motor and Gen6 eDrive will be produced at Pant Steyr in Austria.
BMW said its plant in Bavaria is already producing pre-series control units. Series production is expected to begin in August 2025, and output will accelerate in mid-2026.
The first Neue Klasse BMW model, an electric 3-series, will debut later this year. Then, the Neue Klasse SUV is due out.
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Florida’s State Parks are stepping up their environmental and operational game, introducing a large fleet of powerful electric bikes to support park ranger patrols.
The Florida State Parks Foundation, under its sustainability-focused Greener Initiative, recently announced the expansion of e‑bike units across the state’s parks system. The fleet of Velotric Nomad e-bikes, each equipped with 750‑watt motors and with a claimed 65‑mile range, can offer a substantial 500‑lb payload capacity. They also feature 4″ wide fat tires optimized for riding on rough paths or off-road trails, making them ideal for park ranger patrols.
These e‑bikes are now being distributed to multiple locations throughout Florida, including Fort Clinch, Olustee Battlefield Historic, Rainbow Springs, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, and Suwannee River State Park.
According to Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Foundation, the overwhelming success of the first wave of e‑bikes prompted swift expansion. “The Greener Initiative has done incredible things to reduce our environmental footprint,” she noted, adding that it’s “even more amazing when Greener projects align with resources that support our rangers.”
These additions bring the statewide fleet to 50 e‑bikes, funded via sales from the “Explore Our State Parks” specialty license plate. Starting in 2023, the Greener Initiative has rolled out a variety of efforts to make Florida’s parks cleaner and more efficient, including slashing emissions, cutting down on waste, lowering energy consumption, and enhancing the overall experience for visitors.
Electrek’s Take
I love this, and it’s a great example of how e-bikes are perfect for so many different patrol uses among park rangers, police officers, security companies, and other types of official fleet usage.
We’re seeing this more and more, and the reason is obvious: It works. E-bikes are a lot cheaper than alternatives like UTVs, golf carts, or “real” vehicles like cars and trucks. They require significantly less maintenance, and they’re a lot more fun too.
I just hope they mount some extra water bottle holders. I often ride in Florida, and in the summer, I can drink a gallon a day… on an electric bike!
Via: WCJB
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Lucid’s most adventurous vehicle has just arrived. The Lucid Gravity can drive 450 miles on a single charge, comfortably fits seven, and is faster than the average sports car. Lucid promises the new X concept takes the electric family hauler to a new level.
Meet the Lucid Gravity X adventure-ready EV SUV
Lucid has been hyping the new model as “a bold new concept of electric exploration,” describing it as its most adventurous vehicle to date.
At Monterey Car Week on Friday, we finally got our first look at Lucid’s stunning new Gravity X concept. Based on the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring, which features an impressive up to 450 miles of EPA-estimated range, AWD, and a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 3.4 secs, the X is designed to take you even further.
As Lucid put it, the X “advances this exceptional foundation, exploring what it would be like to push the limits further.
The concept features a new look, lifted ride height, and added off-road elements for all on and off-road adventures. Lucid fine-tuned the front and rear ends to improve approach and departure angles. It also slapped all-terrain tires, protective skid plates, and tow hooks on it, just in case.
Like we first saw in the teaser, the X concept is equipped with an integrated crossbar with LED lights and a roof box.
Lucid says every detail on the new concept was intentional, from the Astral Drift satin paint to the topographical references to Big Spur and Death Valley on the hood.
The interior features upgrades, including premium leather seats, high-performance floor mats, and a microsuede steering wheel.
According to Lucid, the Gravity X, pronounced Gravity Cross, is “ready to go anywhere. Take on everything. And compromise nothing.”
Although it’s just a concept for now, the X gives us a glimpse into a future off-road Gravity trim. As we mentioned earlier this week, Lucid could be preparing to introduce a rugged new variant to compete with Rivian’s California Dune Edition R1S and R1T models.
What do you think of the rugged Gravity X Concept? Should Lucid bring it to life? It wouldn’t be surprising to see a new variant hit the market soon.
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This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new e-bikes from Heybike, the Priority Skyline launch, Segway’s new 50 MPH electric scooter, a Bafang hub motor with automatic shifting, and more.
The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We also have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:00 a.m. ET):
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