BMW tests a solid-state battery in turn

BMW has called on Solid Power to integrate a fully solid-state battery into a BMW i7, currently being tested in Munich.

The partnership between BMW and Solid Power dates back to 2016 and intensified in 2021 with a strategic investment. Since then, the two companies have been developing this technology together, exchanging expertise and innovations.

ASSB (all-solid-state battery) batteries use a solid electrolyte based on sulfides. Their compact design helps reduce the overall weight of storage systems while enhancing performance. This technology could be a significant step towards lighter and more autonomous electric cars, promising better energy density, which means more range for electric vehicles. Their compact architecture also allows for perfect integration into chassis with an increased structural role and a consistently lower center of gravity.

For BMW, this project is a concrete example of its strategy: to explore all possible technological options by collaborating with experts and industrial partners. Solid Power has provided the tested cells, manufactured in close collaboration with BMW’s teams.

Since 2008, BMW has been developing its expertise in batteries. In 2019, the company established a dedicated center in Munich, the Battery Cell Competence Center, which covers all stages of production, from research to manufacturing. With a network of 300 partners, BMW ensures it remains at the forefront of battery technologies worldwide.

By testing this new battery in an i7, BMW and Solid Power aim to address technical challenges such as pressure management, cell expansion, and temperature regulation. This testing program will provide them with crucial data to further enhance this technology before its large-scale use.

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