BMW to build first demonstrator EV with solid state batteries by 2025

German luxury vehicle manufacturer BMW has announced that it will deepen its partnership with solid-state battery developer Solid Power, including the incorporation of a prototype production line in its own facilities and the production of a demonstrator vehicle before 2025.

BMW has been involved with the Colorado-based Solid Power since mid 2021 when it led a Series B funding round into the company alongside Ford.

This was followed in time by several joint partnership agreements between BMW and Solid Power, including an agreement signed last December which provided BMW with a research and development license to Solid Power’s all-solid-state cell design.

All-solid-state batteries (ASSB) are touted by some as the holy grail of EV batteries, swapping out traditional lithium-ion batteries, just as computer hard disc drives (HDD) were replaced with solid state drives. For computers, and in particular laptops, this meant faster speeds and safer handling.

Solid state batteries are expected to provide a similar evolutionary leap. Instead of using liquid electrolytes found in traditional lithium-ion batteries, ASSBs use solid materials and can be lighter, provide greater energy density, greater range, and lower cost.

This latest deepening of the relationship between BMW and Solid Power will see the addition of a research and development license which will enable BMW to establish an ASSB prototype line in its Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf near Munich.

This will allow both companies to conduct complementary cell development and manufacturing activities.

Solid Power is currently working to deliver full-scale automotive cells to BMW Group for testing purposes some time this year, while BMW has promised a demonstrator vehicle using ASSB technology before 2025.

“BMW remains committed to the pursuit of all-solid-state batteries, a technology which we believe has significant potential for the future,” said Frank Weber, member of the board of management at BMW AG responsible for development.

“We look forward to working even more closely with Solid Power and adding the capability to produce solid-state cells based on Solid Power’s designs at our own pilot facility. We expect this agreement to accelerate the installation of our solid-state prototype line and our companies’ mutual goal of commercializing this promising cell technology.”