BMW's 800v Neue Klasse electric vehicles charge 30% more quickly and may provide over 500 miles of range | Carscoops

      New cylindrical cells are 20 percent more energy-dense and will enhance charging speeds by nearly a third.

      7 hours ago

      By Chris Chilton

      BMW has shared technical information regarding its Gen6 eDrive EV technology.

      The 800-volt system improves charging and range by 30%.

      Gen6 makes its debut in this year’s Neue Klasse iX3, with Rolls and Mini also set to adopt it.

      We already have a solid understanding of what BMW's Neue Klasse vehicles will look like both inside and out, informed by earlier concepts and a Land of the Giants interior model showcased during this year’s CES in Las Vegas. However, BMW is now prepared to discuss the technology and provide insights into what its potentially transformative models will offer beneath the surface.

      Gen6 eDrive 800v Technology

      Replacing the existing Gen5 eDrive technology, Gen6 will debut later this year in the Neue Klasse iX3. Eventually, it will be implemented across the entire BMW EV lineup, including M models, and will also be available in Mini and Rolls Royce vehicles.

      At the core of the package is the 800-volt charging capability and a battery utilizing cylindrical cells, which are 20% more energy dense compared to prismatic cells. BMW claims Gen6 EVs will charge 30% faster and provide a 30% increase in range compared to the brand's current electric vehicles, with some models achieving even higher improvements.

      This increase in range is timely for certain BMW EVs. For example, the new iX2 xDrive30 has a WLTP rating of under 285 miles (460 km). The automaker indicates that some models will experience range enhancements exceeding 30%. All Gen6 EVs will also support bi-directional charging.

      The cells are directly integrated into the battery, rather than being placed into modules first, allowing the battery to function as a structural element in the Neue Klasse vehicles. This design reduces weight and enhances strength, resulting in very slim completed battery packs, making them suitable for various types of vehicles, not just high SUVs. This opens up possibilities for BMW to produce genuine sports cars in the electric era.

      Additionally, BMW announced it will install asynchronous motors on the front axle of all-wheel-drive xDrive EVs, as they are more compact and cost-effective to manufacture compared to permanent synchronous motors.

      The Gen6 drive systems have been in pre-production at BMW’s plant in Steyr, Austria, since summer 2024, with series production set to begin this September ahead of the iX3's launch this fall. To mitigate risks associated with potential future political instability, the batteries for the Neue Klasse vehicles will be produced at five new factories in Germany, Hungary, China, Mexico, and the US.