Apple worked with Chinese automaker BYD for years, developing batteries that helped lay the groundwork for tech used today, according to people familiar with the situation.

A partnership between the two companies started around 2017, according to the report, with the goal of developing lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells for the Apple car. BYD has much experience with this tech, claiming cooling and safety improvements for its Blade battery introduced in 2020.

Before the Project Titan was scrapped, Apple reportedly worked with Chinese automaker BYD on custom batteries for Apple Car for years, but ultimately abandoned that partnership too.

As reported by Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple has worked closely with Chinese automaker BYD. Both companies reportedly reached an agreement around 2017 to build batteries using lithium iron phosphate cells (LFP). The technology would significantly increase the autonomy of the car and was also considered safer than typical electric vehicle batteries.

Apple secretly collaborated with Chinese automaker BYD to develop long-range electric vehicle battery technology as part of its now-nixed Apple

Apple partnered with Chinese automaker BYD for several years as part of its now-shelved car project, focusing on the development of long-range batteries. This collaboration, which remained under wraps until recently,

Apple and BYD teamed up around 2017 to build a battery system using lithium iron phosphate cells, Bloomberg reported, signaling just how far the iPhone maker went in its efforts to produce a car.