BMW Puts Solid-State Battery to the Test in Flagship i7 EV
BMW has begun testing a groundbreaking battery technology in its luxury electric sedan, the i7. The new system uses all-solid-state battery cells (ASSB), a promising innovation that could reshape the future of electric vehicles.
The test units are supplied by Solid Power , a company developing next-gen battery solutions. These cells offer potential advantages like higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety — bringing EVs one step closer to matching, or even surpassing, the convenience of traditional combustion engines.
The big advantage of these new batteries is their ability to store more energy in less space — which means future electric cars could travel much farther on a single charge, without adding extra weight.
John Van Scoter, CEO of Solid Power, expressed pride that the company’s collaboration with BMW has led to the first-ever real-world test of solid-state batteries in an actual vehicle.
Martin Schuster, head of battery cell and module development at BMW, said the i7 test model featuring ASSB tech is a great example of BMW’s flexible and forward-thinking approach to innovation. He added that BMW is constantly improving battery technology through partnerships like the one with Solid Power — a key step in advancing the future of electric mobility.
The battery system in BMW’s i7 test car blends established engineering with cutting-edge innovation.
It uses BMW’s well-tested approach to battery design — including the use of rectangular, module-based cells — while integrating new methods for assembling Solid Power’s all-solid-state battery (ASSB) cells.
During testing, engineers are closely monitoring how the cells expand during charging and discharging, as well as how best to manage internal pressure and maintain optimal temperature control.
BMW and Solid Power have been collaborating since 2016, and BMW became an investor in the company in 2021. The partnership grew stronger by the end of 2022, when both parties agreed to deepen their cooperation.
As part of this effort, BMW is setting up a dedicated prototype production line for solid-state cells at its Cell Manufacturing Competence Center in Parsdorf , using expertise developed by Solid Power.
BMW has been developing its expertise in battery cell technology for several years, with the opening of its Battery Cell Competence Center in Munich back in 2019.
The center focuses on everything from research and development to the design and production of advanced battery cells.
As part of its strategy, BMW collaborates with a broad network of around 300 partners — including startups, established companies, and universities — to accelerate the development and implementation of next-generation battery technologies.
