BMW iX with Prototype Dual-Chemistry Battery Has a Lot More Range
A BMW iX with a prototype dual-chemistry battery achieved 608 miles on a full charge using the optimistic European WLTP test cycle.
That range translates to around 516 miles using the U.S. EPA methodology, which is a lot more than the BMW iX xDrive50's normal 324-mile EPA estimate.
The new proof-of-concept "Gemini" battery was developed by Our Next Energy (ONE), a Michigan battery startup that previously modified a Tesla Model S with 752 miles of range.
Our Next Energy—or ONE—has been developing a battery for electric vehicles that will not only be more sustainable, but also provide longer driving range while fitting within the same space as current EV battery packs. The Michigan battery startup intends to do that with a dual-chemistry battery that it has dubbed "Gemini."
An iX with a Lot More Range
With ONE's proof-of-concept battery fitted to a modified BMW iX xDrive50, the luxury EV SUV achieved 608 miles of range on a full charge. However, that result was using Europe's optimistic (WLTP) cycle. Translated to U.S. terms, we think that figure would be around 516 miles based on the EPA's testing methodology. Still, that's almost 200 miles more than a normal iX xDrive50, which for the 2022–2023 model years has an EPA-estimated range of up to 324 miles.
ONE says its proof-of-concept Gemini battery pairs two different cell types, each with unique battery chemistries. The lithium-iron-phospate (LFP) cathode, which has a low energy density and is currently rare in North America, is the primary power source for the electric motors. ONE says it handles 99 percent of daily duties, providing the iX with about 127 miles of range when converted to EPA standards.
When the primary cell is depleted, ONE says it is charged by the second anode-free cell with a high energy density that's derived from a proprietary material rich in manganese and uses minimal cobalt and nickel. The company claims the Gemini battery reduces lithium use by up to 20 percent and graphite by 60 percent, which is said to help lower cost and reduce the impact on the environment. Power from the an0de-free cell is said to transfer through a proprietary DC-to-DC converter that enables the dual-chemistry battery to provide the iX with over 510 miles of estimated range (again, when converted to EPA standards).
Not ONE and Done
It's worth noting that the BMW iX with the dual-chemistry battery isn't currently planned for production. Its Gemini pack is merely a proof of concept, just like the one that ONE retrofitted onto a Tesla Model S early last year. That prototype enabled the electric sedan to travel 752 miles on a single charge while driving in December's chilly temperatures across the state of Michigan, but most importantly it paved the way for the latest Gemini battery.
A ONE spokesperson told Car and Driver that Gemini development is still ongoing, with the next step being another prototype with an unnamed automaker. They also said, "The timing of production will depend on potential customer needs for a specific Gemini application." We learned there are no plans to sell the dual-chemistry battery as an individual pack that can be retrofitted to privately owned EVs.
When asked about ONE laying off 25 percent of its workforce earlier this week, the spokesperson didn't say whether it will affect the company's timeline to bring the Gemini battery to market, but they did say it was to respond to market conditions and focus on core priorities. "Gemini remains a core priority for our company," they said.
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