New battery and charging data from electric four-wheelers in India has revealed interesting technical details about several models, including the MG Tomahawk EV, BYD Sealion 7, BMW i5 LWB, BMW i7 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric. The data provides a closer look at battery capacity, cell chemistry, cell format and peak DC fast-charging capability across a variety of different models.
Among the latest additions to the data set is the MG Tomahawk EV, listed with a 69.2kWh LFP prismatic battery pack. The battery is understood to use ZEnergy cells, while its DC fast-charging capability has been observed at around 115kW. The combination of lithium iron phosphate chemistry and sizeable battery pack could see the Tomahawk EV find its place among buyers seeking a balance between everyday usability and long-distance driving.
The other model new to the battery data set is the BYD Sealion 7 Dynamic, which is equipped with a 71.8kWh LFP Blade battery. The Dynamic version is listed with a peak DC fast-charging capability of around 110kW. BYD’s Blade battery technology has become an important part of the company’s electric vehicle strategy, especially given the use of LFP chemistry for the battery packs.
The data set also covers premium electric models from BMW, namely the BMW i5 LWB which is listed with an 81.6kWh NMC battery pack using prismatic cells supplied by CATL. The electric sedan has a reported peak DC fast-charging capability of 160kW, meaning that its battery can be replenished significantly faster than many mainstream electric vehicles when a suitable high-power charger is connected.
The BMW i7, on the other hand, has an even higher 117kWh NMC battery pack, with the 50 xDrive and M70 xDrive versions associated with cylindrical cells, though cell supplier is unknown for now in the available data. The battery system is capable of supporting up to 250kW peak DC fast charging, putting the luxury electric sedan firmly in the higher-performance charging bracket.
Finally, at the top end of the latest additions is the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric which makes use of a 113kWh NMC battery pack. The battery makes use of pouch cells from LG Energy Solution. Perhaps the most notable figure, however, is the reported 390kW peak DC fast-charging capability for the Cayenne Turbo Electric, which is significantly higher than the charging rates offered by most electric vehicles which are currently available in India.
The details provided on the battery characteristics of these different vehicles also highlight the differing approaches among manufacturers to battery technology. LFP chemistry is gaining more traction in the electric vehicle space due to its benefits around durability and cost, while NMC chemistry continues to be prominent for premium EVs where energy density and performance factors are important considerations.
Cell format is also a point of difference between these vehicles. The latest data set shows the inclusion of prismatic, cylindrical and pouch cells, highlighting the lack of any one battery-cell design dominating the electric vehicle industry. Manufacturers and battery suppliers continue to utilise different formats which cater to various factors such as packaging, energy density, thermal management, cost and performance.
DC fast-charging capability is also becoming an increasingly important specification for EV buyers, with battery capacity determining how much energy a vehicle can store but the charging power dictating how quickly that energy can be replenished during a stop. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric’s 390kW peak figure, for example, shows just how much potential high-power charging has in the premium electric SUV segment.
As more and more electric cars make their way to the Indian market, tracking their battery specifications can provide valuable insight as to the technology which manufacturers are adopting. Battery chemistry, cell supplier, cell format, capacity and charging capability are all as important as range and performance considerations when comparing modern EVs.
The latest additions to the tracking data set provide a glimpse into the variety of battery technologies which are being utilised by the various electric four-wheelers on the Indian market. From the 69.2kWh LFP pack of the MG Tomahawk EV to the 113kWh NMC battery and 390kW charging capability of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric, the market is moving towards increasingly diverse and advanced electric powertrain technologies.