The primary BMW EVs powered by all-solid-state batteries at the moment are on the highway for testing. BMW used an i7 to check the “holy grail” of EV battery tech, promising longer driving vary at a decrease value.
BMW exams first EVs with all-solid-state batteries
BMW hit a milestone on Monday after finishing its first on-road exams utilizing Stable Energy’s all-solid-state battery (ASSB) cells.
Usually known as the “holy grail” of EV battery know-how, ASSBs promise considerably increased power density than present batteries. Since they’ll pack increased power density right into a smaller area, all-solid-state batteries have the potential to spice up driving vary at a decrease value.
The i7 check automobile is predicated on BMW’s present Gen 5 structure, utilizing new prismatic cells in modules. To combine Stable Energy’s ASSB cells, BMW modified the platform utilizing new module ideas.
BMW and Stable Energy have been working collectively since 2022 to advance the brand new EV battery tech. In December 2022, BMW revealed plans to license Stable Energy’s tech for a brand new strong cell prototype line at its Cell Manufacturing Competence Heart (CMCC) in Parsdorf.
The German automaker will proceed to check sulfide-based electrolytes in solid-state battery packs over the subsequent few months.
BMW follows Mercedes-Benz, which introduced in February it had put “the primary automotive powered by a lithium-metal solid-state battery on the highway” by way of its partnership with US-based Factorial Power.
Mercedes used a modified EQS, fitted with solid-state batteries. With an anticipated 40% weight financial savings in comparison with present Li-ion batteries, Factorial goals to unlock over 600 miles of driving vary.
The milestone additionally comes after Martin Schuster, BMW Group’s vice chairman of next-generation battery tech, informed Autocar in February that solid-state batteries had been nonetheless too costly and that present lithium-ion batteries have “an extended approach to go.”
Electrek’s Take
German automakers usually are not the one ones advancing the promising new battery tech. World battery leaders CATL and BYD are additionally anticipated to launch EVs with all-solid-state batteries over the subsequent few years.
Solar Huajun, the CTO of BYD’s battery enterprise (Shenzhen BYD Lithium Battery Co), stated earlier this yr that the corporate expects its first EVs with all-solid-state batteries to reach in 2027. Manufacturing will probably be restricted for the primary two years, however by 2030, BYD expects ASSBs to enter the mass market.
Within the preliminary section, BYD will use a sulfide-based answer in a few of its higher-end fashions. Like BYD, CATL reportedly plans to start manufacturing of all-solid-state EV batteries in 2027, however in small volumes.
A number of others, together with Hyundai, Nissan, Stellantis, Toyota, and Honda, are racing to develop the subsequent technology of EV batteries.
Which would be the first to launch all-solid-state EV batteries on a mass scale? CATL and BYD already lead the market by a large margin, however others are rapidly advancing with on-road testing. Tell us your ideas within the feedback.
Supply: BMW Group
