BMWÂ i continues to drive sustainable innovation with its futureproof technology and integrated approach. And now the high-voltage battery developed for the i3 is not only powering emissions-free mobility on the road, but on the water too. The BMWÂ Group is supplying lithium-ion batteries from its Dingolfing plant to German company Torqeedo.
The marine drive system manufacturer is using them for energy storage in its high-performance Deep Blue electric drive systems. Torqeedo was founded in 2005 in Starnberg, Germany and is leading on a global basis as a provider of electric and hybrid propulsion systems for motorboats from 1 to 160 HP for sailing yachts and commercial marine applications, such as ferries and water taxis.
High-voltage batteries from BMWÂ i will form an integral part of an environment- friendly, cost-effective, silent alternative to conventional boat propulsion systems.
âWe see the decision by Torqeedo to use BMW i high-voltage batteries for their Deep Blue propulsion system as further evidence that we can build the drive systems of the future without any need for compromise on performance, innovation and sustainability,â explains Dr Alexander Kotouc, Head of Product Management BMW i. âThis successful transfer of the latest automotive technology to the water is testament to the value of the integrated approach that underpins BMW i.â
The BMWÂ Group develops and assembles high-voltage batteries for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in-house. The lithium-ion battery created for the BMWÂ i3 comprises eight modules, each containing 12 cells. The connectors, cables, monitoring sensors and heating and cooling system have also been developed specifically for BMWÂ i.
The BMWÂ Groupâs development and manufacturing expertise provides the basis for its continuous advancements in the field of battery technology. The latest example of this is the high-voltage battery in the current BMWÂ i3. Although its size and weight remained unchanged from the earlier version, its capacity was increased by over 50% to 94Â Ah/33Â kWh.
Thanks to the plug-and-play capability that the designers have built into BMWÂ i3 batteries from the outset, the technology offers broad scope for applications beyond the automotive sector. Marine propulsion system manufacturer Torqeedo combines lithium-ion batteries from BMWÂ i with its most powerful range of motors for inboard and outboard units and hybrid systems with up to 160Â hp.
âThe BMWÂ i high-voltage batteries are a model of extraordinary reliability and performance for electric mobility,â explains Christoph Ballin, Co-founder and CEO of Torqeedo. âThey allow us to deliver state-of-the-art electric propulsion technology and integrated energy management for leisure craft and commercial marine applications.â
This innovative use of BMWÂ i high-voltage batteries to provide electric propulsion on the water is just one example of the wide variety of applications that can be served by this integrated sustainability concept. Another area is stationary energy storage, where the batteries are also used to increase the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings by providing intermediate storage for renewable energy generated by solar and wind installations.
What is more, the BMWÂ i high-voltage batteries can also be reused for this purpose after they have completed their useful life in a vehicle. In terms of sustainability, reusing the batteries makes much more sense than recycling them prematurely. This led the BMWÂ Group to develop scenarios envisaging a âsecond lifeâ for the batteries after long service in a car, even before the BMWÂ i3 was launched onto the market. This type of reuse has a key role to play in the transition to green energy â and the ever-increasing demand for intermediate storage of renewable power that comes as a result.
About BMW i
BMW i is a BMW Group brand focusing on visionary vehicle concepts, connected mobility services and a new understanding of premium strongly defined by sustainability.Â
BMW i is global market leader in alternative powertrains and represented in 54 countries with the BMW i3 electric car for urban areas, BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car and plug-in hybrid BMW iPerformance Automobiles.Â
BMW i opens up new target groups for the company and serves as an incubator for innovations. Technologies which have debuted successfully in BMW i cars are carried over to parent brand BMWâs other models. BMW i is also associated with enterprises including DriveNow (car sharing), ReachNow (car sharing 2.0), ChargeNow (easy access to the worldâs largest network of charging points), ParkNow (straightforward location, reservation and payment of parking spaces), venture capital company BMW i Ventures (investment in start-up companies with a focus on urban mobility), BMW Energy (energy optimisation services) and the Centre of Competence for Urban Mobility (consultancy for cities).
