ONE split chemical battery increases the cruising range of BMW iX pure electric vehicle to 978 kilometers

Battery manufacturer OurNext Energy (ONE) said its dual-chemistry batteries have reached a single-charge range of 608 miles (about 978 kilometers) in the BMW iX electric car. ONE’s batteries were evaluated using the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), the European standard used to determine the range of electric vehicles.

ONE's long-range dual-chemistry battery pack called "Gemini" can greatly increase the iX's cruising range. The current EPA cruising range of this model is approximately 300 miles (approximately 482 kilometers).

The Gemini battery architecture consists of cells with two different chemistries. ONE said that the lithium iron phosphate battery can provide about 150 miles (about 241 kilometers) of cruising range, meeting 99% of daily travel needs; the second chemical composition is an anode-free battery with higher energy density, which can provide 450 miles (about 724 kilometers) of cruising range. When both batteries are combined, the final volume of the battery pack is between 300 and 400 liters.

On November 30, ONE said in a statement that the company will continue to improve this battery to be ready for commercialization in 2026. The company plans to begin producing batteries for commercial vehicles and battery storage systems at its plant in VanBuren Township, Michigan, late next year. After that, the company expects to launch the 350-mile-range Aries II battery for passenger cars in 2025, followed by the Gemini in 2026.

Sam Abuelsamid, chief research analyst at analyst firm GuidehouseInsights, said: "It is indeed impressive to be able to achieve such a large range improvement without increasing the physical size and weight of the battery pack. ONE has taken an important step in the process of demonstrating its capabilities to the industry."

Concerns about the range of electric vehicles have been a factor hindering their adoption. Data from J.D. Power shows that most electric vehicles can travel 200 to 300 miles (approximately 320 to 480 kilometers) after being fully charged, and a few high-end models have a range of more than 500 miles (approximately 800 kilometers).

Headquartered in Novi, Michigan, ONE plans to improve the efficiency of battery converters, improve control algorithms to optimize the use of range extenders, and further validate and develop battery cells.