The tech giant had said that it is working on self-driving technology and has targeted 2024 for the production of a passenger vehicle
With the push for electric mobility adoption ramping up on a global scale, US-based tech giant Apple is reportedly in talks with Chinese battery makers CATL and BYD with regards to battery supply for its potential electric vehicle.
Citing four people aware of the matter, a Reuters report said that the discussions are subject to change and it is not clear if agreements with either CATL or BYD will be reached.
Apple has made building manufacturing facilities in the United States a condition for potential battery suppliers, said two of the sources.
However, as per the sources, CATL, which is a supplier to Tesla, is reluctant to build a US factory due to prevailing political tensions between Washington and Beijing as well as cost concerns.
All three parties declined to comment on the matter.
It is unclear whether Apple is also in talks with other battery makers.
Apple is in favour of using lithium iron phosphate batteries that are cheaper to produce because they use iron instead of nickel and cobalt which are more expensive, the four people said.
The tech giant had said that it is working on self-driving technology and has targeted 2024 for the production of a passenger vehicle.
People familiar with the matter have previously said Apple’s planned EV could include its own breakthrough battery technology. It was not immediately clear if the discussions with CATL and BYD involved Apple’s own technology or designs.
