BMW CEO Milan Nedeljković announced that the upcoming Neue Klasse electric vehicle lineup will incorporate both NMC and LFP battery technologies. This strategy marks a shift from the exclusive use of nickel-based cells, though the company plans to implement LFP batteries selectively rather than across all segments.
The company currently utilizes LFP batteries in the China-exclusive iX3 30L model, while higher-spec 40L and 50L variants retain NMC chemistry. BMW intends to apply this tiered approach to the Neue Klasse, prioritizing NMC cells for their superior range and performance capabilities in the current market.
The Neue Klasse models, including the iX3 SUV and i3 saloon, feature an 800-volt architecture and 46-millimetre diameter NMC round cells. These Gen6 batteries utilize a cell-to-pack design and a pack-to-open-body structure, which BMW claims increases energy density by approximately 20 percent compared to previous prismatic cells.
While the i3 saloon is expected to offer a range of up to 912 kilometres, BMW has not provided a specific timeline for the introduction of LFP-powered Neue Klasse models in the European market. The automaker continues to source cells from various regional partners to support its production strategy.
