Apple apparently wants to build car batteries on its home soil. The company is eyeing a number of manufacturers as it plans to set up factories in the United States, according to a new report.
Foxconn, already one of Apple’s largest manufacturing partners, or Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) could get battery orders from Cupertino in the future, sources say.
It’s still not completely clear what Apple’s plans are when it comes to cars. Over the years, the rumor mill indicated the company went from developing its own autonomous electric vehicle to focusing solely on software for third-party cars. Now most rumors indicate that Apple again plans to build an “Apple Car” designed entirely in-house.
Whatever the case may be, new rumors suggest Apple is on the hunt for car batteries. And the company wants to make them in the United States.
Apple eyes U.S. plants for car batteries
“Apple, which reportedly is mulling manufacture batteries for Apple Car in the US, may work with Taiwanese makers rather than Chinese ones,” reads a new report from Digitimes, citing industry sources.
“Taiwan-based Foxconn or Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees), both of which plan to set up factories in the US, stand a chance of working with Apple on car batteries, the sources said.”
It is believed Apple had been planning to work with CATL and BYD — China’s largest battery suppliers. But after deciding it wanted car batteries made at home, the company began looking at manufacturers who plan to set up plants in the United States.
Apple car still years away
The move would create jobs in the United States — something Apple likes to do. It also could help diversify Apple car production while the U.S. trade war with China rages on. This doesn’t mean, however, that an Apple car is right around the corner.
Recent reports indicate the potential launch of an electric vehicle made by Apple remains years away. However, the demand for home-grown car batteries could push some suppliers to set up factories in the United States even sooner, Digitimes said.
