Uber wasn’t the first western company to collaborate with BYD. Nope, according to a report from Bloomberg, it was the inventor of the iPhone, Apple.

The US-based publication reported that the American technology giant discreetly worked with the Chinese EV-maker for years as it tried to develop its own autonomous electric car.

The relationship allegedly started in 2017 when representatives from BYD showed Apple early prototypes of the Blade battery, which currently powers models such as the BYD Seal, Atto 3 and Dolphin.

Apple reportedly believed it could use the lithium-ion batteries for its own design, and had worked on using alkaline and nickel battery cells to further extend battery range.

Eventually, Apple walked away from the collaboration and engaged the services of Hyundai, before canning the entire project after 10 years and A$14.95 billion spent.

Given BYD’s expertise in battery technology and its roots in the smartphone battery business, it’s not surprising Apple engaged with the company in the first place.

While Apple and BYD haven’t confirmed the report, if true, there is no doubt that both businesses would have advanced their respective battery and consumer technologies significantly.

BYD has since become China’s best-selling EV company and the second largest EV-maker in the world while Apple is, well, Apple.