A new rumor has emerged suggesting Apple is reportedly working with China’s biggest battery maker to make electric car batteries. This report is somewhat surprising as Apple abandoned their plans for developing an electric car in Project Titan last year. It was rumored they were working on an autonomous driving platform, which CEO Time Cook called a “core technology that we view as very important” for Apple, however, all plans were seemingly neglected.
But was Project Titan ever really abandoned?
Apple’s involvement with car batteries
In recent months Apple has been spotted testing its self-driving software in California. The company was granted a permit from the DMV and was reportedly using Lexus SUVs.
Now it appears Apple is working with Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited. All the evidence is suggesting Project Titan is well underway, a very exciting development.
A report by Yicai Global does not dwell on specific details but clearly states the two companies are working together on batteries.
What is CATL?
CATL is a spin off of Amperex Technology Limited, a supplier of batteries for Apple products, that was founded in 2011 and is based in Ningde, China.
The company is a leader in lithium-ion battery research and development, and claims have ranked as the world’s third largest manufacturer of both hybrid and electric vehicle batteries, since 2015. CATL plans to rival the two largest, BYD and Panasonic, by increasing its battery output to 50 gigawatt hours by the year 2020.
Apple does work with the company for iPhone batteries, however, an electric car battery is on a whole other scale. Neither company have commented on the rumors. Will Apple really be able to conquer the car business?