Apple is the joint development with a Chinese manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), whose products are in great demand. About it writes the local edition Yicai Global.
Office CATL, one of the fastest growing in the Chinese market batteries, located on the outskirts of the city Ningde. It is called Chinese Panasonic that can meet the rapidly growing demand for batteries for electric vehicles. The total value of the company exceeds $11 billion.
According to sources, Apple has signed an agreement with CATL on the joint development of the battery. Apparently, in Cupertino are still working on an Autonomous electric car. Previously, Apple CEO Tim cook claimed that in the nearest future the company plans to develop its own robomobile, and now the company is focused on the software for these cars.
According to analysts, the global market CATL may to the end of the decade to compete with major producers of batteries. Until the end of 2020 CATL expects a 6-fold increase in the production volume of lithium-ion batteries, beating competitors in the face of Panasonic and Tesla. Only over the past year, CATL increased the production of food sources three times.
The market for batteries for electric vehicles are becoming increasingly attractive for both traditional players and ambitious beginners. However, the latter have not easy, because requires huge investments in development, and considerable funds for increasing production.
If the information on cooperation with CATL confirmed, Apple has serious plans to release their own electric vehicles. When creating a car company can consider its own experience gained from the development of the iPhone. So, companies need experience in the areas of batteries, sensors, as well as in hardware and software. Apple already has CarPlay system for iPhone integration with the onboard computer of the car.
