Rumor: BYD To Supply Blade Batteries To Daimler

According to the unofficial media reports, BYD will supply its latest Blade Batteries to Daimler, which is interested in the “zero cobalt” lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) in the new cell-to-pack (CTP) approach.

No details were provided, but we heard that Daimler's representative visited BYD's Blade Battery plant so it might actually be true.

The Chinese manufacturer tries to become a major automotive supplier to OEMs, and already partners with Toyota (and Hino). There was a rumor that Ford is also willing to partner with BYD in China.

BYD and Daimler already have a joint venture in China and a luxury, niche EV brand - Denza.

At this point, it's not clear what Daimler's models will use BYD batteries. The German manufacturer already selected CATL as a battery supplier for its electric trucks globally, so it will be interesting what role BYD might play.

See also

BYD Shows Off New Blade Battery Factory In Chongqing

Let's recall the description of Blade Batteries (see unveiling here):

• lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry
• "The Blade Battery refers to a single-cell battery with a length of 96 cm, a width of 9 cm and a height of 1.35 cm, which can be placed in an array and inserted into a battery pack like a blade"
• cell-to-pack (CTP) system: skips the module stage through using thinner and longer cells (designed to become structural parts - beams - of the pack)
• about 50% greater volumetric energy density compared to conventional LFP battery pack
  the batteries take 60% of pack volume instead 40% in conventional system
• high longevity of 3,000 charging/discharging cycles or 1.2 million km (nearly 750,000 miles) of mileage
• high safety - BYD showed the results of a nail penetration test - of NCM, LFP and Blade Battery cells, in which the Blade Battery "emitted neither smoke nor fire after being penetrated, and its surface temperature only reached 30 to 60°C"
• reduced cost compared to conventional LFP battery pack
• can provide range comparable to ternary lithium batteries (NCM)
  BYD Han is rated at up to 605 km (376 miles) NEDC
• can be charged from 10% to 80% of its full capacity within 33 minutes