BMW, Toyota, Volkswagen, Electreon

Currently, BMW's electric SUV, the BMW iX, achieves a maximum range of 633 kilometers according to the WLTP standard before needing to be recharged. Now, the U.S. startup Our Next Energy (ONE) has equipped the BMW iX with an innovative battery technology, allowing the electric SUV to travel nearly 1000 kilometers on a single charge. The technology, named Gemini, uses a "dual-chemistry" architecture that combines two different cell types, suitable for both shorter and longer trips. Lithium iron phosphate cells (LFP) power the motor, covering 99 percent of daily trips with a range of 240 kilometers. For longer journeys, Gemini uses anode-free cells with high energy density, providing an additional range of 724 km by transferring power through DC converters. In total, the two cells enable a combined range of more than 966 km on a single charge. Furthermore, the Gemini battery technology significantly reduces environmental impact and costs, cutting lithium consumption by up to 20 percent, graphite consumption by 60 percent, and the use of nickel and cobalt. BMW i Ventures, the venture capital arm of the automaker based in Silicon Valley, is an investor in ONE. The startup now plans to further optimize the technology for mass production. 

Toyota has unveiled its vision for the future of electromobility, announcing six new electric vehicles by 2026. This includes the Urban SUV Concept and Sport Crossover Concept presented at the Kenshiki Forum in Brussels, as well as the previously introduced Compact SUV Concept and the bZ4X. Two more models are to follow. From 2026, Toyota also plans to introduce a new generation of electric vehicles. Initially, Toyota will focus on developing a "performance version" of their batteries, offering almost double the range of the current bZ4X's battery while reducing costs by 20 percent. Subsequently, Toyota aims to transition to cost-effective lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, increasing range by 20 percent and reducing costs by 40 percent. The third type of battery to be introduced will be a high-performance battery with bipolar technologies and a high nickel content cathode, promising further range and cost advantages. Toyota's goal is to significantly reduce charging times, aiming to increase the charging speed from 10 to 80 percent in just 10 minutes. By 2035, the company also aims to become completely climate-neutral across all models. 

Volkswagen has announced bidirectional charging for its ID. models with 77 kWh batteries. Bidirectional charging allows vehicles to act as energy storage and feed energy back into the home grid. In collaboration with HagerEnergy, Volkswagen is starting a pilot project in Sweden demonstrating how electric cars can contribute to household energy supply. The bidirectional charging function, available with ID. Software 3.5, enables vehicles to serve as supplementary energy storage for the home and can even help stabilize the power grid. With the high storage capacity of the cars, a household can be supplied with solar power for several cloudy days or during evenings when the photovoltaic system does not produce electricity. Volkswagen allows users to decide when to draw energy from the public grid and when to use the power stored in the vehicle battery. In theory, a Volkswagen ID. model could power a household for about two days, assuming an average consumption of 15 kWh per day. However, to ensure the vehicle's constant readiness, the connection is disconnected once the vehicle's battery is depleted to 20 percent. 

In Detroit, the first electric road in the USA has been put into operation, allowing electric vehicles to be inductively charged while driving on an initially 400-meter stretch, which will later be extended to 1.6 kilometers. The technology, similar to wireless chargers for phones, uses inductive coupling between copper coils installed under the road and a receiver on the vehicle. The street is designed to transfer electricity through a magnetic field, activated when a vehicle equipped with a receiver parks or drives over the road's transmitters. Extensive tests are set to begin early 2024 with a Ford E-Transit. The project, part of a pilot project for inductive vehicle charging, will be implemented by Electreon, an Israel-based company specializing in inductive charging.