In a surprising revelation, it has come to light that Apple had been reportedly working closely with BYD on developing advanced electric vehicle (EV) batteries as part of its now-canceled car project.

According to Bloomberg, Apple and BYD joined forces to develop a long-range battery system using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. The partnership aimed to create batteries that were both longer-range and safer than typical EV batteries of the time.

Apple invested around $1 billion annually over the past decade in its ambitious vehicle project, codenamed “Project Titan.” A key element of this effort was a collaboration with BYD, focusing on developing customized battery technology for Apple’s planned vehicle. Apple engineers contributed expertise in advanced battery packs and heat management, while BYD brought its manufacturing expertise and advancements in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell technology to the partnership.

Several prominent figures played a significant role in the collaboration. Alexander Hitzinger, a former Porsche executive, led Apple’s side of the project between 2016 and 2019. Mujeeb Ijaz, a veteran from A123 Systems, headed a team of about 50 battery engineers at Apple. On BYD’s side, Michael He, Vice President of BYD’s battery business, spearheaded the effort for the Chinese automaker.

Though Apple does not own the technology used in BYD’s current Blade batteries, the collaboration seemingly had an impact on BYD’s advancements. BYD’s entire vehicle lineup now utilizes the Blade battery system, which incorporatesdesign lessons from the Apple partnership. However, BYD retains complete property and patent rights for the Blade battery.

Despite the years of joint development, Apple ultimately shifted its focus away from the BYD partnership. The tech giant began exploring other battery technologies and manufacturers. By 2021, Apple was reportedly seeking LFP batteries from both BYD and CATL, considering potential U.S. manufacturing options. Additionally, Apple pursued a “monocell” battery design to optimize space efficiency in its vehicle project.

Earlier this year, Apple officially canceled its EV project. However, the decade-long effort left a lasting impact on the company’s technological advancements. Insights from the battery development work have influenced other Apple products, including the Vision Pro headset and the Neural Engine AI processor. Apple’s growing interest in robotics has also benefited from research conducted during the EV project.

While Apple’s EV never came to market, BYD has seen remarkable growth in the EV industry. In 2023, BYD sold 3 million electric and hybrid vehicles, a significant rise from the 179,054 sold just three years prior. The company briefly surpassed Tesla as the world’s top EV seller and is now the largest automaker in China by sales.

As the dust settles on Apple’s ambitious automotive venture, this revelation of its collaboration with BYD provides a glimpse into the complex web of partnerships and innovations that drive the EV industry. While Apple’s EV may never hit the roads, the technological advancements and cross-industry collaborations it fostered may continue to shape the future of both the tech and automotive sectors.

Want to learn more about EV? Thinking of buying an EV? Head over to EV.com and discover more.

EV.com is the world’s 1st Electric Vehicle (EV) marketplace that aims to promote zero-emission mobility by providing a platform for consumers to learn about, compare, and purchase EVs.