Potential Partners Include Korean Battery Producers
Apple is re-focusing on the United States after trying to search for an Apple car partner outside the United States. This has to do with the Joe Biden administration’s guidelines on the future mobility strategy of the United States.
Previously, Apple decided to produce its electric cars on an OEM basis and contacted multiple automakers capable of manufacturing electric vehicles. Now, however, it is planning to produce the cars on its own by cooperating with automotive electronics companies and battery manufacturers.
When it comes to the batteries, it was said that Apple would use LFP batteries, which are supplied by Chinese companies, heavy, inexpensive, stable, and relatively less efficient. However, the possibility of its cooperation with Chinese battery suppliers has gone down with regard to U.S.-China trade disputes and reached zero in the end with regard to the administration’s strategy. According to it, the ratio of electric vehicles on U.S. roads is going to reach 50 percent in 2030, those vehicles and their batteries will be non-Chinese, and 100 percent of electric government vehicles and their batteries will be made in the United States.
The number of non-Chinese companies that are capable of manufacturing EV batteries in the United States is quite small, and they include LG Energy Solution, Panasonic, Samsung SDI and SK Innovation. Panasonic is relatively less likely to work with Apple in that it is already working very closely with Tesla and is likely to expand its partnership with Toyota.
LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation are currently working with GM and Ford, respectively. In addition, they are planning to expand their manufacturing facilities in the United States. They are currently capable of supplying pouch-type batteries in quantity, and it is said that Apple may use this type of batteries instead of LFP. In addition, the U.S. government is providing extensive support for LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation.