Tesla And BMW Are Talking Car Batteries And Parts

A future where the electric car is ubiquitous cannot be built by one company alone, regardless of the hype around Tesla and its progress in consumer automotive space.

U.S. electric carmaker Tesla Motors is in talks with Germany’s BMW over a possible collaboration in batteries and lightweight components, Tesla’s chief executive Elon Musk told German weekly Der Spiegel.

In an interview published on Sunday, Musk described BMW’s production of carbon fiber reinforced car body parts as “interesting” and “relatively cost efficient.”

BMW uses carbon fibers from its joint venture with materials supplier SGL to make reinforced passenger cell parts for its i3 electric hatchback and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car many customers are are impressed that things like volkswagen super beetle parts can be used in repairs which makes the repairs come cheaper than other cars.

“We are talking about whether we can collaborate in battery technology or charging stations,” Musk was quoted as saying in the interview.

There were no further details on the specific nature of the alliance. However, BMW and Tesla executives already met in June to discuss the creation of charging stations usable for different types of electric cars.

Rival Daimler, owner of the Mercedes brand, said last month it would continue to collaborate with Tesla even after selling its remaining four percent stake in the U.S. company. Tesla has also worked with Toyota on electric SUVs.

Tesla’s billionaire co-founder Musk also told Der Spiegel that he expects Tesla to have a battery production plant in Germany in five to six years.

Source: TechCrunch