Croatian EV maker Rimac’s engineering division, Rimac Technology has announced that it will provide batteries for the next generation of BMW electric cars. Rimac has inked a supply deal with the BMW Group that is said to be "the largest and most ambitious project the company has undertaken to date".
- Batteries could power Neue Klasse range of EVs
- Rimac to establish new automated production lines
Rimac has revealed that the partnership requires the establishment of ‘sophisticated’ automated production lines for batteries at the Rimac Campus in Croatia, and that a significant portion of the facility will be dedicated to this project. Do note that no financial terms of the deal have been disclosed yet, and neither company has given any indication of the volumes.
BMW EV battery procurement
BMW currently procures EV batteries from five global sites, and is also building new sites for its next-generation batteries in China, Hungary, Mexico and the US. Moreover, another facility is being built in Germany to assemble batteries for EVs built by BMW in Munich, Dingolfing and Regensburg. And batteries from this plant could be fitted to the Neue Klasse range of EVs from 2025 onwards.
BMW’s electrification plans in India
Just about a week ago, BMW commenced bookings for the all-electric i5 in India, which is being brought in as a CBU. It will be available in the top-spec M60 xDrive trim with dual electric motors together producing 601hp and 820Nm torque, helping the sedan sprint from 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds.
The i5 will be the fifth all-electric BMW in India, slotting between the i4 and i7. The electric sedan will have no direct rivals upon arrival, and prices are expected to touch the Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom) mark.
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