BMW believes that lithium-ion batteries have the potential for further enhancement before transitioning to solid-state technology.

      Solid-state batteries represent the next significant advancement in electric vehicle (EV) technology, and an increasing number of companies are eager to introduce them to the market. SAIC, based in China, asserts that it will begin mass production of solid-state batteries by 2026, while Nissan aspires to outpace Toyota, and Honda has indicated multiple times that it is nearing production. BMW initiated its development of solid-state batteries years ago but contends that the current costs make mass production unfeasible. Therefore, the new Neue Klasse line of EVs will utilize enhanced lithium-ion batteries instead.

      Martin Schuster, BMW’s vice president of next-generation battery technology, mentioned in an interview with the British magazine Autocar, "We can produce solid-state batteries now, but the costs involved in packaging do not justify it." He further stated that solid-state batteries won't be necessary for about eight years.

      For now, BMW's efforts will concentrate on enhancing the lithium-ion batteries that currently power the majority of EVs on the road.

      “The key focus is on the lithium-ion battery: it’s still evolving,” Schuster emphasized. “Improvements are still visible. There won’t be a single, ultimate battery solution. But, at present, lithium-ion technology can steadily improve.”

      He pointed out that lowering costs is a priority since it's a critical factor for consumers looking to purchase electric vehicles. Although solid-state batteries are theoretically able to charge significantly faster than lithium-ion batteries, BMW’s next-generation technology can provide an additional range of approximately 186 miles in just around 10 minutes.

      Thus, lithium-ion remains the choice, and BMW has several enhancements in the works. By adopting an 800-volt architecture, the upcoming sixth-generation electric technology will allow for 30% faster charging and 30% greater range compared to the current fifth-generation systems found in vehicles like the i4. These new batteries will also be slimmer, facilitating integration into lower-profile models, including M sports cars.

      The motors that will be powered by these new batteries will see advancements as well, with more drivetrain configurations available. The simplest version of the drivetrain will feature a single motor located above the rear axle for rear-wheel drive. BMW will maintain its through-the-road xDrive all-wheel drive system, adding a second motor to the front axle, and some models will even incorporate a three- or four-motor setup. It is likely that the three-motor arrangement will assign two motors to the rear axle, while the four-motor configuration will have a motor at each wheel, presumably reserved for high-performance vehicles like the electric variant of the upcoming M3.

      The sixth-generation technology will debut in BMW's Neue Klasse range of EVs; however, the improved batteries will also be used in some other electric models from the brand. The first of the modern Neue Klasse will be an SUV expected to start production in Hungary by the end of 2025.

      Mercedes-Benz has begun testing a solid-state battery that can reportedly provide 25% more range than a comparable lithium-ion battery. Currently in the prototype stage, it is not yet available in mass-produced vehicles, but it seems that the brand may surpass its rival BMW in the EV battery competition. Schuster, however, expressed disagreement. "They are in a price range that is not competitive," he said, referring to the solid-state battery that Mercedes is currently evaluating. "That's a fact today. When we see it in direct competition with lithium-ion, then we will take notice," he concluded.

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