Can Large Cylindrical Batteries Support the Ambition of Electric Vehicle Electrification in Europe and America?

Recently, whenThe new generation BMW iX3 makes its world premiere.Munich Motor ShowEquipped with 4695 large cylindrical batteries produced by Chinese battery companies, the vehicle achieves a driving range of over 900 kilometers.At this point, the technological revolution of the 46-series large cylindrical battery—once ignited by Tesla in the field of power batteries—may evolve into a trend across major global electric vehicle markets.Racing to layout the core battlefield for new battery technology routes.

This means that after American automaker Tesla installs large cylindrical batteries in their vehicles,The large cylindrical battery has achieved another major breakthrough on the path to mass production worldwide.This not only carries BMW's hopes for electrification transformation, but also reflects the choices of some European and American automakers regarding battery technology routes.Strategic Choice。

Meanwhile, the focus of industry attention is undoubtedly...Can large cylindrical batteries support the ambitious electrification goals of European and American electric vehicles?

The large cylindrical battery triggers a wave of battery technology revolution.

Since Tesla first introduced its 4680 large cylindrical battery in 2020, it has sparked a wave of research and development of large cylindrical batteries in the industry.

Tesla is betting on large cylindrical batteries to address the issues with traditional batteries.Energy density, production efficiency Cost ControlBottlenecks in these aspects. Data shows that this battery, with a diameter of 46 millimeters and a height of 80 millimeters, achieves this by...Large-diameter cylindrical structure, full tab designThe energy density of the battery cells can be significantly improved, increasing the vehicle's range by 16%. At the same time, the highly automated production method of large cylindrical batteries also helps car manufacturers improve production efficiency and reduce production costs.

Against this backdrop, large cylindrical batteries (such as 4680, 4695, 46120, etc.) have also attracted...BMW, Mercedes-Benz, General MotorsMainstream European and American car companies are planning their strategies.

However, the mass production of Tesla's 46-series large cylindrical batteries has not been smooth sailing. From the initial planning to being fitted into vehicles, it has taken several years for technical refinement and capacity ramp-up, and the current production capacity still falls short of expectations. This indicates thatThe engineering challenges of scaling up large cylindrical batteries from laboratory research to mass production have far exceeded industry expectations.

BMW collaborates with Chinese battery manufacturer.

Expected to accelerate the mass production and installation process of large cylindrical batteries

According to reports, the new generation BMW iX3 is equipped with large cylindrical batteries, which will empower its sixth-generation eDrive + 800V high-voltage platform.4695 46120Two models.

According to the information, BMW has already partnered with suppliers for large cylindrical batteries.EVE Energy, CATL Farasis EnergyThree Chinese battery companies have formed a deep cooperation. Currently, these three battery companies are already in...China, Europe, North AmericaWait for the layout of related production capacity in countries and regions, and achieve product delivery in some areas.

As the first domestic company to achieve stable mass production of 46-series large cylindrical batteries,EVE EnergyIt was previously revealed that the 4695 battery will be used in BMW's new generation iX3 model, allowing the vehicle to gain an additional 300 kilometers of range with just 10 minutes of charging.

In terms of technology,According to the introduction, EVE Energy's large cylindrical battery adopts its...Three core technologies: full-tab technologyReduce cell impedance by 60% and double the power output.Silicon-based anode technologyIncrease the energy density of NCM+Gr/Si cells by 15%.Directional pressure relief explosion-proof technologyUnder extreme conditions, it can be rapidly triggered to release 50% of the heat within 5 seconds.

At the same time, its large cylindrical battery products have formed three major advantages: standardization, zero expansion, and high strength. This allows for rapid adaptation across different vehicle models and carriers, while suppressing anode expansion. Compared to traditional aluminum-shell prismatic batteries, the strength is increased by five times.

As of June 2025, data shows that the cumulative installation of EVE Energy's large cylindrical batteries exceeds 60,000 units, positioning it among the industry's leaders in mass production and delivery.

In terms of production capacity,The cylindrical battery production line at EVE Energy’s Shenyang base entered the trial production stage in June 2025 and will support the future mass production and delivery of BMW’s new generation iX3 model. Meanwhile, its Hungary battery base has a planned total capacity of 30GWh and will supply cylindrical batteries to BMW and other automakers in the future, thereby forming...The large cylindrical battery production capacity system with dual-track advancement in China and Europe.

CATLAlso actively making arrangements, it plans to…Starting from 2026, it will supply BMW's new generation pure electric models with its 46-series large cylindrical batteries.To meet BMW's demand for high-performance batteries.

According to market sources, CATL has planned 8 production lines for large cylindrical batteries with a total capacity of 12GWh, covering technology routes including models 4680 and 4695.

The first batch of 46-series batteries from Farasis Energy’s Wuxi factory has rolled off the production line and is now supplying BMW’s global platform.Its Cangzhou factory is also scheduled to achieve mass production in the second half of 2025.

BMW’s close collaboration with Chinese battery companies will help ensure the mass production of the next-generation iX3, and will also promote the widespread adoption of large cylindrical batteries in the global market.

In contrast, although Tesla was the first to launch its 4680 large cylindrical battery, it still lags slightly in mass production progress. As of now, Tesla is still working to increase the production capacity of its 46 series large cylindrical batteries and has not yet achieved the large-scale mass production and delivery expected by the industry.

Industry insiders pointed out,By closely collaborating with three Chinese battery companies, BMW is expected to catch up and may become the first to achieve large-scale mass production and delivery of large cylindrical batteries in electric vehicles.This may give it a head start in the global electric vehicle market and serve as an example for other European car manufacturers in the field of power battery technology.

In addition, mainstream European and American car manufacturers are accelerating their deployment of large cylindrical batteries, not only because of the excellent performance and high manufacturing efficiency of large cylindrical batteries, but also because...Supply Chain SecurityTo mitigate the impact of square batteries being absolutely dominated by Chinese companies, some European and American car manufacturers are "embracing" the large cylindrical battery technology route in hopes of "overtaking on the curve" to catch up with the rapidly developing Chinese electric vehicle industry.

With the launch of BMW's new generation iX3, it may drive the mass production of large cylindrical batteries, which will bring numerous opportunities to the electric vehicle markets in Europe and America, as well as the global large cylindrical battery market.

The current European and American markets are forming a...The "dual-engine drive pattern of Tesla and BMW"The large cylindrical cell technology route, through breakthroughs in battery performance and the restructuring of the industrial chain, may reshape the global power battery market landscape. At the same time, in addition to the aforementioned battery companies, there are also...Bick, Yunshan Power, Ruien New Energy, LG New Energy, PanasonicDomestic and international battery manufacturers are accelerating the deployment of large cylindrical batteries. This mass production and vehicle installation race may accelerate the differentiation of technology routes in the field of power batteries, promoting the sector from...Capacity expansion "New battery technology accelerates implementation"Transition.