As Apple’s upcoming autonomous electric vehicle (EV) comes closer and closer to fruition, the company is considering which companies should supply its components, and a new update signifies that it may have eyes on companies from Taiwan.
Apple is considering working with Taiwanese manufacturers rather than those in China for its upcoming Apple Car batteries, according to industry sources (via DigiTimes).
Both Foxconn and Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees), which plan to construct U.S. factories, are potential candidates for supplying electronic and battery components to the U.S. tech company.
Apple Supplier Foxconn Plans Joint Electric Vehicle Venture https://t.co/ceqykrqbdv
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) January 14, 2021
While Apple was reportedly considering Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) and BYD, two of China’s biggest auto and auto components manufacturers, for its EV batteries, Apple has insisted on U.S.-made batteries and asked companies to build a U.S. factory – which now seems unlikely, especially with an ongoing trade war between China and the U.S., according to the sources.
Foxconn has already provided a number of parts for Apple’s electronics in the past, and the Taiwan-based company has prioritized the U.S. market, making them a somewhat likely candidate for the supply deal.
Apple may also reportedly want a separate supply chain for lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP) and manganese cobalt oxide batteries (MNC), which could effectively help Taiwanese LFP makers to set up U.S. factories sooner, rather than later.
