This BMW Prototype Conceals a Strong Secret | Carscoops

      Thanks to solid-state batteries, future BMW electric vehicles may charge more quickly and travel greater distances.

      BMW has unveiled a new i7 prototype equipped with a solid-state battery pack, developed in collaboration with Solid Power. This prototype will undergo testing in and around Munich.

      Solid-state batteries provide many advantages, including increased energy densities.

      As solid-state batteries draw closer to becoming a reality, BMW has become the latest automaker to present a road-going prototype based on the i7, utilizing advanced cells from Solid Power.

      The partnership between the two companies has been in place since 2016, and the prototype will be tested in Munich. While specific details have been scarce, the automaker mentioned they will be analyzing factors such as cell expansion, operating pressures, and temperatures. They noted that "the use of Solid Power cells with sulfide-based electrolytes and their full integration into a battery pack will yield significant insights for the BMW Group’s testing program in the coming months."

      More: The Mercedes EQS Solid State Prototype Debuts with a Range of 621 Miles

      Though BMW did not provide many details, solid-state batteries boast several benefits over conventional lithium-ion batteries. Notably, they have higher energy densities, which can enable the creation of smaller battery packs or extend ranges without increasing weight. Additionally, solid-state batteries promise enhanced performance and safety.

      BMW did not provide a timeline for when solid-state batteries might appear in production vehicles but suggested that significant development work is still needed. As they stated, “further development steps are required to implement ASSB [all-solid-state battery] technology in a competitive overall storage system.”

      Nonetheless, the company remains positive about the future. BMW battery expert Martin Schuster commented, “Our i7 ASSB test vehicle on the road exemplifies the BMW Group’s technology-open approach. We are consistently pushing the boundaries of new battery cell technologies and expanding our expertise alongside key partners like Solid Power.”

      In addition to BMW and Mercedes, Stellantis is also engaged in solid-state battery research and aims to launch a fleet of prototype Dodge Charger Daytona EVs by year’s end. Like the EQS, these vehicles will utilize Factorial cells, expected to achieve an energy density of 375 Wh/kg.