Cost and driving range are primary concerns for electric vehicle buyers, with many seeking a minimum range of 400 kilometers per charge. However, BMW’s engineering chief, Frank Weber, argues against larger batteries, citing environmental impacts and questioning the need for ranges beyond 1,000 kilometers. He emphasizes that most users drive significantly less daily. Instead, BMW focuses on enhancing efficiency and plans to integrate solid-state batteries in the future, while currently developing cylindrical batteries for quicker charging.
Price and Range: Key Concerns for Electric Vehicle Buyers
When it comes to transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), two crucial factors dominate the conversations among potential buyers: cost and driving range. These elements often act as significant barriers that discourage many from making the switch to electric powertrains. A common requirement among drivers is the capability to travel a minimum of 400 kilometers on a single charge.
The Futility of Battery Size Increases
Interestingly, many industry experts argue against this notion. A notable example is the American company Lucid, which has been discussed in various forums, along with BMW. In a recent discussion with Automotive News, Frank Weber, the engineering chief at BMW, expressed his candid thoughts on this topic.
Weber firmly states that “no, we cannot make increasingly larger batteries, because electric vehicles would then no longer make sense.” He questions the necessity of producing EVs with ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometers, suggesting that such aspirations may be misguided. This perspective might raise eyebrows, especially considering that the newly revamped BMW iX comes equipped with a battery boasting up to 108.9 kWh, enabling an impressive range of up to 701 kilometers on the WLTP cycle. The i7 sedan, with its 101.7 kWh battery, can also travel up to 625 kilometers per charge. Despite these advancements, BMW is not inclined to push the boundaries further due to environmental concerns related to large battery production.
The increasing demand for larger batteries puts a strain on our planet’s resources, requiring materials like lithium and cobalt, which are often extracted under less-than-ideal conditions. Although BMW is committed to battery recycling initiatives, the production process for new batteries remains environmentally taxing. Furthermore, Weber emphasizes that consumers may not actually require this extended range in future electric vehicles, making it an unnecessary pursuit.
Focusing on Efficiency and Future Technologies
According to Weber’s insights, data suggests that only a small percentage of electric vehicle users travel several hundred kilometers in one go. Government statistics indicate that the average French commuter covers significantly less than 80 kilometers daily, primarily for work-related travel. This highlights that excessive driving range is not a pressing need for most users. In instances of longer journeys, fast charging stations can facilitate a quick recharge.
In parallel, BMW is channeling its resources towards enhancing vehicle efficiency by optimizing energy consumption. The Vision Neue Klasse X concept, set to debut in 2024, features a streamlined body designed to improve the drag coefficient (Cx), marking a step toward the next generation of the iX3. This innovative model includes specialized brakes and tires that further enhance energy efficiency, boasting a notable 25% improvement as reported by BMW Blog.
Looking ahead, BMW aims to incorporate solid-state batteries into its lineup, although this technology is still a few years away from production vehicles. Weber predicts that it will take approximately a decade for solid-state batteries to become widely adopted. In the interim, BMW plans to implement cylindrical batteries that can be charged in just 12 minutes for their upcoming electric models, positioning them to compete with Tesla’s latest 4680 battery technology.