An experimental BMW iX aims for a range exceeding 950 km

A young American company has decided to showcase the full potential of its new battery on a BMW iX.

In the quest for record-breaking range, Mercedes made a big splash with its EQXX concept, which recently traveled over 1,000 km without recharging its battery. The BMW iX we are interested in today is theoretically capable of doing almost as well! Or rather, will be, because the vehicle is not yet finished. We will have to wait until the end of the year to see it on the road.

Supported by BMW, the project is led by Our Next Energy (ONE), an American start-up working on a new generation of batteries. With this, the range of the German SUV is expected to increase to 600 miles, or 965 km. This is at least the goal set by the company.

A more efficient and less polluting technology

The battery uses two different chemistries, each corresponding to a specific use (one for powering the motor daily, the other optimized for storing electricity). ONE’s technology would bring significant progress in energy density. It would thus allow for storing more electrical energy without negatively affecting the size of the battery. Furthermore, the American start-up also claims that its process uses fewer rare metals. The gain would be around 20% for lithium and 60% for graphite. The needs for cobalt and nickel would also be lower.

ONE has already tested its battery on a Tesla Model S. The car managed to cover just over 1,200 km without recharging earlier this year.

Soon on series production BMW electric vehicles?

The BMW group does not hide its interest in ONE’s technology. The manufacturer even invested $65 million in the American start-up through its venture capital arm BMW i Ventures. It considers the project to be sufficiently realistic for the technology to someday be used in mass-produced electric cars.

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