Since last year, news of Apple’s first autonomous passenger vehicle powered by its own breakthrough battery has dominated the industry. The alleged information on ‘Apple Car‘ is so compelling that the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk publically expressed disbelief that another company can not produce better batteries than his.
However, Akira Yoshino, a battery pioneer, and Nobel Laureate, has set his eyes on what Apple will do for the future of mobility. In 2019, Yoshin was the co-winner of the Nobel Prize for his work on lithium-ion batteries. His contributions in the field have paved the way for significant advancement in the automotive and technology industries.
Akira Yoshino says Apple is the one to look out for to deliver the next generation of electrical vehicles
In a discussion with Reuters on the future of lithium-ion batteries and their utilization in EV (electric vehicles), Yoshino said that innovation is required in the materials and their use in EV, “in other words, how people will be using the EVs, and how they charge them and discharge them.”
Speaking on wireless charging capability on EVs, he explained that to offer wireless charging capability is not an issue, the practical application of that system is the main issue. He believes that practical autonomous EVs can make a huge change in the way people use vehicles.
Furthermore, sharing his opinion on the future of mobility, Yoshino said that Apple is the company to look out for because it can successfully converge auto and IT industries.
Yoshino: Right now, the auto industry is thinking about how to invest in the future of mobility. At the same time, the IT industry is also thinking about the future of mobility. Somewhere, sometime, with the auto industry and the IT industry, there is going to be some kind of convergence for the future of mobility.
Tesla has their own independent strategy. The one to look out for is Apple. What will they do? I think they may announce something soon. And what kind of car would they announce? What kind of battery? They probably want to get in around 2025. If they do that, I think they have to announce something by the end of this year. That’s just my own personal hypothesis.
Previously, it was reported that Apple Car will be powered by a long-lasting battery with a ‘monocell’ design, better than lithium-ion batteries.
Apple’s design means that more active material can be packed inside the battery, giving the car a potentially longer range. Apple is also examining a chemistry for the battery called LFP, or lithium iron phosphate, which is inherently less likely to overheat and is thus safer than other types of lithium-ion batteries.
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