BMW i now also powers electric mobility on the water.

Torqeedo integrates BMW i3 high-capacity battery into electric
propulsion system for boats – Integrated sustainability concept from
BMW i finds new applications.

 

Munich. BMW 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 BMW 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 BMW i will form an integral part of an
environment- friendly, cost-effective, silent alternative to
conventional boat propulsion systems. “We 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,” explains Dr Alexander Kotouc, Head of Product
Management BMW i. “This successful transfer of the latest automotive
technology to the water is testament to the value of the integrated
approach that underpins BMW i.”

The BMW Group develops and assembles high-voltage batteries for
electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in-house. The lithium-ion battery
created for the BMW i3 comprises eight modules, each containing 12
cells. The connectors, cables, monitoring sensors and heating and
cooling system have also been developed specifically for BMW i.

The BMW Group’s 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 BMW i3. Although its size and weight remained unchanged
from the earlier version, its capacity was increased by over 50% to 94 Ah/33 kWh.

Thanks to the plug-and-play capability that the designers have built
into BMW 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 BMW i
with its most powerful range of motors for inboard and outboard units
and hybrid systems with up to 160 hp. “The BMW i high-voltage
batteries are a model of extraordinary reliability and performance for
electric mobility,” explains Christoph Ballin, Co-founder and CEO of
Torqeedo. “They allow us to deliver state-of-the-art electric
propulsion technology and integrated energy management for leisure
craft and commercial marine applications.”

This innovative use of BMW 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 BMW 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 BMW Group to
develop scenarios envisaging a “second life” for the batteries after
long service in a car, even before the BMW i3 was launched onto the
market. This type of reuse has a key role to play in the transition to
green energy – 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. 

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. 

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 BMW’s
other models. BMW i is also associated with enterprises including
DriveNow (car sharing), ReachNow (car sharing 2.0), ChargeNow (easy
access to the world’s 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).