BMW will use cylindrical cells similar to Tesla, supplied by EVE

BMW will purchase batteries for its upcoming electric vehicles from EVE Energy Co Ltd, based in China. The German carmaker will follow the example of Tesla and use batteries made of large cylindrical cells as part of the agreement.

Reuters has reported that EVE has signed an agreement to become the main supplier of battery cells for BMW in Europe, and will build a production plant in Debrecen, Hungary to achieve this. Citing unnamed sources familiar with the deal, the outlet says the new batteries will go into vehicles hitting the market from 2025 onward.

The batteries will be cylindrical, like the 4680 batteries that Tesla will produce this year. Those cells are 46 mm in diameter by 80 mm long, hence the name, and EVE’s batteries will be of similar size.

BMW will use cylindrical cells in its electric cars

That is larger than Tesla’s current 2170 cylindrical cells, as well as most of the cells used by other carmakers, including BMW. In addition, most manufacturers use prismatic units, whose rectangular shape makes them easier to fit into a battery pack.

However, advocates of the cylindrical cell argue that the format has become more cost-effective because its higher energy density means fewer cells need to be placed in a battery pack, which reduces the materials required and makes it the best option. Indeed, like Tesla and now EVE, CATL, China’s largest battery producer, will also begin producing cylindrical cell batteries in 2025.

CATL previously announced it would build Europe’s largest battery plant, also in Debrecen. With an annual capacity of 100 gigawatt-hours, Mercedes-Benz will be its main customer. However, BMW will also be a CATL customer and plans to build a factory near the city. There it will manufacture electric vehicles based on its Neue Klasse platform.