German automaker Mercedes-Benz has no reservations about lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which have historically been used primarily in low-cost electric vehicles. In 2021, he was credited with the use of CATL LFP batteries in the flagship EQS sedans, and now we are talking about products from the Chinese company BYD as part of the transition to future platforms.
Image source: Mercedes-Benz
At least in terms of the Chinese release CBEA Resource reports CarNewsChina. The CLA concept, recently unveiled by Mercedes-Benz in its production version, will be the brand’s first electric car to use BYD’s Blade traction battery family, currently the most advanced version of that Chinese supplier’s LFP batteries, according to the source. These batteries will form the basis of the German auto giant’s new MMA platform, which includes a combination of LFP technology with an 800V mains voltage and high-speed charging capabilities.
The first Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles with BYD traction batteries in this range will hit the market in 2025, according to Chinese sources familiar with the automaker’s plans. The WLTP cycle range of 750 km declared for the CLA concept is quite good for a carrier of LFP batteries, even taking into account the possible further development of relevant technologies in the next two years.
That’s not to say that Mercedes-Benz and BYD have never worked together before. In China there is a joint venture, Denza, to produce electric vehicles; it was founded on an equal basis in 2010, but in 2021, against the background of not particularly convincing commercial successes of hybrid and electric vehicles of the same name, Mercedes-Benz reduced its share in the capital to 10%. Significantly, BYD subsequently achieved greater success in the development of the Denza model range, launching two new crossovers and a minivan.
BYD’s plans, as is widely believed, include the construction of a battery production plant in Europe, so in this regard the company will not be inferior in terms of logistical convenience to its competitor CATL, which is also building a specialized plant in Germany and will even start producing the most modern ones LFP batteries with quick charging function. Mercedes-Benz can work with both traction battery suppliers as they are among the three largest in the world. BYD traction batteries are also used in electric vehicles from Toyota, Kia and Lincoln.
Add Comment