Input 2020.12.25 06:00
However, it is known that Apple will install lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries mainly produced by Chinese companies in electric vehicles. From a long-term perspective, concerns over a decline in market share of the three K-battery companies, including LG Energy Solution, SK Innovation, and Samsung SDI, cannot be excluded.
According to sources, Apple is working on a way to install lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries that are less likely to overheat than lithium-ion batteries. LFP batteries have a low energy density. The short driving distance is the disadvantage. To solve this problem, Apple is pushing for a’monocell’ design that increases battery cell capacity by removing pouches and modules from the battery.
In the field of LFP batteries, CATL and BYD in China are ahead of the three K battery companies and Panasonic in Japan. The standard version of Tesla’s’Model 3’produced in China is equipped with CATL’s LFP battery.
The three K battery companies are focusing on ternary batteries with increased nickel content, such as NCA (nickel, cobalt, aluminum) and NCM (nickel, cobalt, manganese).
According to SNE Research, a market research firm, CATL recorded a total of 19.2 GWh (gigawatt-hour) in global electric vehicle (EV, PHEV, HEV) battery usage from January to September, surpassing LG Energy Solutions and ranking first. LG Energy Solution was pushed to the second place with 18.9GWh (22.9%) of accumulated usage from January to September.
If CATL secures Apple as a partner while the two companies are competing for thin ice, it could have a fatal effect on LG Energy Solutions’ global No. 1 strategy. In particular, considering Apple’s brand value, K-battery is a wasteful demand for easy delivery.
An official in the battery industry said, “If it is right for Apple to install an LFP battery, it is highly likely to form a joint venture with CATL or adopt a commissioned production method.” If it is produced, it is also possible to cooperate with Korean or Japanese companies.”
On the 23rd, LG Electronics announced that it will establish a joint venture in the field of electric vehicle powertrain with Magna International, the world’s third-largest auto parts maker. The joint venture will be able to expect new orders from Magna as well as from Magna customers, so it can establish a mass production system early and realize economies of scale.
There is also high hope that the joint venture will supply parts to Apple’s self-driving electric vehicles. Meanwhile, in the parts industry, Magna was selected as a leading parts company to participate in the manufacture of Apple cars.
LG Energy Solutions completed the acquisition of the battery pack facility of LG Electronics’ U.S. electric vehicle parts manufacturing company’LGEVU’ in October. The acquisition entity is LG Chem’s US automobile battery plant’LGCMI’. The facility acquired by LGCMI is a key line that produces parts for electric vehicles such as battery packs located in Hazel Park, Detroit with a total floor area of 22,000m2 (6650 pyeong).
If Apple joins hands with a joint venture between LG Electronics and Magna in the future, it is not an impossible scenario to entrust battery production to LG Energy Solutions, which operates the battery pack business as well as battery production.
As Tesla, the number one electric vehicle in the battery industry, took 17 years to cross the break-even point, it is pointed out that production of electric vehicles will not be an easy challenge for Apple, a leading IT company.
An official in the battery industry said, “Apple has discussed the production of finished cars with Magna in the past, but has temporarily stopped it.” “It is necessary to watch over time whether Apple will actually enter the production of self-driving electric vehicles and which batteries to adopt “I have.”
Reporter Lee Kwang-young [email protected]
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