BMW promises increased range on future Neue Klasse models

With its new generation of battery cells, BMW expects significant progress in several areas.

Used in the 1960s to refer to a successful series of BMWs, the name “Neue Klasse” will make a comeback. But only on electric vehicles, which will gradually be launched starting in 2025. Initially, this new family will consist of two models:

• a sedan comparable to the Series 3 in terms of dimensions
• and a sporty SUV.

BMW has high hopes for this new line. It is intended to help it reach its goal of 50% electric sales by the end of the decade. Battery technology will, of course, be crucial. Because it will impact both the vehicles’ performance and their price. It is therefore logical that BMW places particular importance on this aspect. The German company announced that it will use a new generation of cylindrical cells. These will enable significant advances in several fields.

“The sixth generation of our newly developed lithium-ion cells will bring considerable technological progress, increasing energy density by more than 20%, improving charge speed by up to 30%, and increasing range by up to 30%”, declared Frank Weber, a member of BMW AG’s board responsible for development. “We are also reducing CO₂ emissions from cell manufacturing by 60%.”

Battery cells supplied by Chinese partners

Although the German brand seems very proud of “its” new cells, it is not the manufacturer. This mission will be handled by CATL and EVE Energy, two Chinese companies with which BMW has signed contracts worth “several billion euros” for “the construction of battery cell factories.”

This new generation of cells is also expected to help BMW reduce the manufacturing cost of electric models “to the same level as vehicles equipped with advanced thermal engine technology.” These savings are likely to impact vehicle prices, which should also decrease accordingly.

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