BMW to supply battery modules to StreetScooter

Battery modules of the BMW i are now also getting part of the fully electrified delivery vans made by the Deutsche Post DHL. According to the German carmaker, these modules are equivalent to those used for the BMW i3.

However, it is not yet clear how many of StreetScooter’s EVs are going to get these batteries, neither why exactly the company chose BMW as a supplier. Possibly, StreetScooter’s current batteries turned out to lack capacity in the winter month. That is at least, what the newspaper “Welt” reported after investigating in several federal states of Germany.

Production of the BMW i3’s battery components is situated in Dingolfing, Bavaria. Professor Achim Kampker, CEO of StreetScooter states that “the BMW i3 high-voltage modules are exemplary for extraordinary reliability and performance in the car sector. They enable us to use state-of-the-art electric drive technology and integrated energy management even in demanding supply and distribution traffic.”

The BMW group is developing and producing its batteries for EVs and PHEVs in-house. The i3’s li-ion battery consists of 8 modules with 12 cells each and reaches a total capacity of 33 kWh. Also the battery management with wiring, sensors and heating/cooling system are specifically developed for BMW i.

In July, the carmaker announced already a cooperation with propulsion specialist Torqueedo, a subsidiary of Deutz. The company uses the i3’s power pack for energy storage in its series Deep Blue and makes use of the i8’s battery as well.

In November, Deutsche Post DHL has hit its annual target to operate 5,000 of its electric StreetScooter vans. “Homemade” electrification turned the German mail provider into the country’s largest manufacturer of electric medium duty vehicles. The electric fleet is growing constantly, and the 5,000 StreetScooter vans have been joined by about 3,700 StreetScooter WORK and 1,300 WORK L models, larger models designed together with Ford (we reported).
greencarcongress.com, electrek.co