BMW Tests Chemical Battery From ONE Which Claims To Reach 965 Km On A Single Charge

BMW Hybrid, the next development is an electric car. (photo: twitter @bmw)

JAKARTA - BMW will install and test a remote battery developed by Michigan-based start-up Our Next Energy (ONE) in the BMW iX electric SUV. The statement came from the German automaker Tuesday, June 14.

The Gemini ONE battery will combine two types of battery cells, including one battery with advanced chemicals that can store more energy. "This technology allows vehicles to reach 600 miles (965 km) or more on a single charge," the battery maker said. "This prototype vehicle is expected to be completed by the end of the year."

“Gemini Battery aims to reduce the use of traditional EV battery materials such as cobalt, nickel, graphite and lithium,” said Mujeeb Ijaz, founder and chief executive of ONE.

Ijaz said ONE is testing different electrode chemistry at Gemini, while evaluating potential tradeoffs in cost, energy and sustainability.

“ONE may offer a production version of the battery in three different sizes and prices,” said Ijaz. This includes a low-end version that costs the same as today's conventional nickel and cobalt-based batteries, "could even be a little lower."

Ijaz said ONE is discussing testing a similar prototype of the Gemini battery with other companies.

In March, venture firm BMW led a US$65 million (IDR 938.4 billion) funding round at ONE. Other investors in the funding include Coatue Management, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Assembly Ventures, Flex, and Volta Energy Technologies.

In December, ONE said an early prototype of the Gemini battery, installed in a Tesla Model S sedan, provides a range of more than 750 miles (1.200 km), far exceeding the best production electric vehicles on the market today.

Since its founding in 2020, ONE has focused development on long-range batteries that use safer and more sustainable materials, while packing more energy into a smaller, cheaper package.

In a statement, BMW executive Juergen Hildinger said they are exploring opportunities to integrate ONE battery technology into their future BEV (battery electric vehicle) product line models.