Chinese EV maker Nio will supply a batch of batteries for McLaren Automotive‘s hybrid models, local media outlet Yiou Auto reported on Friday.
The British supercar maker will use Nio‘s in-house developed 4680 large cylindrical cells, with small-scale production expected to begin next year and sample battery pack being delivered to McLaren next month.
As reported by EV earlier in April, McLaren will incorporate electric vehicle technology from Chinese carmaker Nio as part of a restructuring led by Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings — which is a major investor in both companies.
The report also said Nio will also restart R&D on the 46105 large cylindrical battery and 120 kWh battery pack in collaboration with Forseven — a British EV startup under the McLaren Group Holdings.
The 120 kWh battery pack was originally planned for Nio‘s ET9 flagship sedan, which ended up using a 100 kWh battery pack from CATL.
In February, Nio Technology signed a technology licensing deal with Forseven, granting it a global, non-exclusive license to use Nio‘s EV platforms, software, and IP for research, manufacturing and sales of Forseven-branded vehicles.
With backing from CYVN Holdings, Nio‘s independent battery R&D team is reviving its development of the 46105 large cylindrical battery project.
The team began developing in-house battery packs in 2021. However, due to the company’s weak sales performance in 2023, the project was scaled back — according to the report.
“Nio halted in-house cell production and sought collaboration with SVOLT Energy for large cylindrical development, but uncertainties and resource constraints effectively shelved the project,” Yiou reported while noting that the company had already begun constructing a battery cell plant in China.
Nio will first supply a small ~10 kWh battery pack for McLaren’s hybrids, with limited production. Mass production is planned for next year, and an A-sample will be delivered in July, a source told the media outlet.
Late last month, Nio added battery manufacturing and related services to its corporate activities, weeks after announcing it is deepening collaboration with CATL, the world’s largest battery maker.
Weilan (Shanghai) Battery Technology Co., Ltd., a company backed by both companies, has tripled its registered capital from 500 million yuan to 1.5 billion yuan ($210 million).
The two companies will jointly develop an 85 kWh battery pack built on a 900V architecture.
The pack is expected to become the primary battery for Nio’s third-generation platform — and will likely be used on both Nio and Onvo vehicles.
