BMW’s Growing Success in the EV Market
BMW is one of the many automakers navigating the ever-changing landscape of the electric vehicle (EV) market. While some manufacturers are struggling to find their footing, BMW is experiencing significant success.
In the first quarter of this year, BMW saw a 41% increase in deliveries of its i4, iX1, and i7 models. This upward trend has prompted the German automaker to project that 20% of its global deliveries in 2024 will be battery-electric. This would represent a 5% gain over the previous year, showcasing BMW’s commitment to electric mobility.
To further solidify its position in the EV market, BMW recently announced a long-term partnership with Rimac Technology. The aim of this collaboration is to co-develop and co-produce innovative solutions in the field of high-voltage battery technology for select battery-electric vehicles. Both BMW and Rimac remain tight-lipped about the specific products that will result from this partnership.
Rimac Technology, a subsidiary of the Rimac Group, has already made a name for itself as an EV engineering supplier. The company has worked with various automakers on projects such as the hybrid battery system in the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the powertrain in the Pininfarina Battista. With BMW now onboard, Rimac Technology will need to expand its operations and add sophisticated automated production lines for batteries at its Croatian headquarters.
This partnership appears to be a natural progression for BMW and Rimac, as they had already begun working together on an EV platform called 46XX. This platform utilizes 46-millimeter cells and serves as the foundation for future projects. BMW previously signed a deal with Chinese battery cell supplier Eve Energy to provide 46-mm batteries for its European EVs. Rimac and Eve then partnered to integrate these cells into European production for Rimac’s 46XX architecture.
Despite these collaborations, BMW has made it clear that its upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles will not be part of the Rimac partnership, at least not initially. Instead, BMW and Rimac will focus on developing EV components further down the line, specifically packs and platforms that could become part of BMW’s sixth-generation EV drivetrains and technologies.
In conclusion, BMW’s success in the EV market continues to grow, with projections of 20% of global deliveries being battery-electric by 2024. The partnership with Rimac Technology further solidifies BMW’s commitment to electric mobility and will lead to the development of innovative high-voltage battery technology. With both companies working towards a common goal, the future of electric mobility looks promising for BMW and its customers.
