Envision AESC Achieves Mass Production Milestone with 46120 Large Cylindrical Battery

SHANGHAI / MUNICH – Envision AESC has officially commenced mass production of its advanced 46120 large-format cylindrical battery cells at its super factories in Cangzhou and Jiangyin, China. The milestone marks a critical step in the company's global supply agreement with BMW Group, as the cells are slated to power multiple models on the German automaker's "New Class" dedicated electric vehicle platform, supporting worldwide vehicle deliveries.

BMW recently unveiled the all-electric iX5, which becomes the first production model to adopt Envision AESC's 46120 cells (46 mm diameter, 120 mm height). Compared with the 4695 cylindrical cells (46 mm × 95 mm) used in the previous iX3, the new 46120 format delivers approximately 30% more usable energy per cell, a significant leap in pack-level energy density without enlarging the overall footprint.

The 46120 cell now in production is currently the tallest and highest-capacity 46-series cylindrical battery cell to reach mass production anywhere in the world. Surpassing the industry's mainstream 4680 and 4695 formats, the 46120's larger individual capacity enables automakers to reduce the total number of cells and structural components within the battery pack. This simplification improves system integration efficiency while freeing up more interior cabin space — a critical advantage for premium SUVs where range, performance, and passenger comfort must be balanced.

Built with a high-nickel cathode and silicon-doped anode material system, the 46120 cells achieve a class-leading energy density exceeding 310 Wh/kg. The design incorporates thermo-mechanical separation and other advanced safety innovations at the cell and pack levels, delivering system-level crash protection and thermal runaway prevention. Envision AESC says the solution offers a "balanced triad" of performance, safety, and cost-efficiency tailored for high-end battery electric vehicles.

On the manufacturing front, Envision AESC has deployed more than 1,000 CCD vision inspection stations and 100% X-ray scanning for foreign-particle detection across the entire production flow, enabling micron-level contamination control. The company also employs a maglev high-speed positioning and transfer system alongside precision winding and assembly processes, achieving a cell dimensional accuracy within 0.01 mm. According to internal quality data, the overall production yield rate is among the best in the industry, and the field failure rate is projected to be below one in ten billion — a benchmark that underscores the company's manufacturing rigor.

To support its growing international customer base, Envision AESC continues to expand its localized production footprint. The company now operates gigafactories in China, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain, forming a resilient supply network that covers all major automotive markets. This global footprint ensures both supply security and regional responsiveness for automakers undertaking simultaneous product launches across continents.

Looking ahead, Envision AESC says it will further strengthen its battery technology roadmap, intelligent manufacturing capabilities, and globally distributed supply chain. The company positions the 46120 program as a foundation for broader collaborations with multiple OEMs, contributing to the high-quality development of the global new-energy vehicle industry.

Edit by paco

Last Update:2026-07-08 08:26:13