The BMW Group is one step closer to producing solid-state batteries with US startups Solid Powerexpanded its partnership and announced plans to produce demonstrator vehicles using the technology by 2025.
The two companies have added a research and development license to their partnership, enabling BMW to develop a prototype line of solid-state batteries (ASSB) at its Cell Manufacturing Competence Center in Parsdrof near Munich.
Both BMW Group and Solid Power will carry out complementary cell development and manufacturing activities at their respective manufacturing plants.
Solid Power aims to deliver a full-scale automotive cell for testing by BMW in 2023, and is opening a pilot ASSB production line at its own US facility.
In late 2022 the BMW Group announced its plans to establish a pilot production line for ASSB in Germany in collaboration with Solid Power, announcing it would invest $US20 million (AU$30 million) in Solid Power until June 2024.
BMW has committed to the development of ASSB technology with Solid Power on the basis of the initial achievement of “certain milestones”.
The partnership also includes Solid Power’s sharing of proprietary “solid-state electrode and cell manufacturing know-how” but does not include licenses to the company’s intellectual property.
“We expect this agreement to accelerate the assembly of our solid-state prototype line and our company’s shared goal of commercializing this promising cell technology,” said Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management, Development at BMW AG.
“Expanding our relationship with BMW is further proof that both companies believe in the development of Solid Power technology and the value of solid state batteries. We look forward to working with BMW’s world-class battery team,” said David Jansen, interim CEO, president and chairman of Solid Power.
Solid-state batteries, in theory, would provide greater range, less mass and faster charging compared to the lithium-ion or lithium-iron batteries currently used in electric vehicles.
ASSB uses solid electrolytes, carbon-free anodes and cathode composite layers as opposed to liquid gel or polymer electrolytes found in current chemistry, including lithium-ion and lithium polymer.
Solid Power was founded in 2011, originally funded by Hyundai among other major investors.
It later signed agreements with Ford and BMW Group.
They’re not the only brands investing in the technology, with Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis all working with startup Factorial Energy on solid-state batteries.
Toyota has been testing solid-state batteries since 2020 with plans to introduce the technology into its hybrid vehicles before rolling it out to its EVs.
That same year, Volkswagen-backed company QuantumScape said it planned to have the technology ready for production in 2024.
Nissan recently unveiled a prototype of its solid-state battery production facility at its Research Center in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
The Japanese automaker is leading solid-state battery development for its alliance partners – Renault and Mitsubishi – and plans to launch an electric vehicle (EV) with its proprietary solid-state battery (ASSB) in fiscal year 2028.
General Motors will also manufacture solid-state batteries, among other battery types, at the new Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center.