BMW starts testing i7 powered by solid-state battery

BMW has announced it is testing a special battery in one of its luxury electric vehicles, a BMW i7. This new battery uses what are called all-solid-state battery cells (ASSB), which could change how we think about electric cars. The batteries for the test vehicle come from a company called Solid Power, and they promise some exciting benefits.

The main idea behind these new batteries is that they can hold more energy in a smaller space. This means future EVs could go much farther on a single charge without making the car heavier. John Van Scoter, the President and CEO of Solid Power, expressed pride in the fact that their partnership with BMW has led to the first real-world test of these batteries in a vehicle.

Martin Schuster, who is in charge of battery cell and module development at BMW, pointed out that the i7 ASSB test vehicle is a perfect example of BMW's flexible approach to technology. He added that BMW is always working to improve battery cell technologies and learn from valuable partners like Solid Power. This ongoing development of new battery technologies is crucial for the future of electric vehicles.

The battery system in the BMW i7 test car mixes old and new ideas. It uses some of BMW's proven methods for making batteries, like using rectangular cells grouped into modules. But it also adds new ways to put together these ASSB cells from Solid Power. During testing, engineers will look closely at how the cells expand as they charge and discharge. They will also study how to control the pressure inside the battery and how to keep it at the right temperature.

BMW and Solid Power have been working together since 2016, and in 2021 BMW became an investor in the company. This partnership got even stronger in late 2022 when the two agreed to work more closely. BMW will set up a special production line for prototype solid-state cells at its Cell Manufacturing Competence Center in Parsdorf, using Solid Power's knowledge.

BMW has been building its expertise in battery cell technology for a while now, with a dedicated Battery Cell Competence Center in Munich opening in 2019. This center covers everything from research to design and production of battery cells. BMW's strategy involves working with a large network of around 300 partners, including companies, startups, and universities, to bring battery innovations to life quickly.

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