BMW’s long-standing flirtation with solid-state batteries is starting to look more like a full-fledged commitment. This week, Colorado-based Solid Power announced a new three-way collaboration with Samsung SDI and BMW to bring all-solid-state battery (ASSB) technology out of the lab and into a real-world test vehicle.
For years, BMW has quietly been building the foundation for its next-generation energy strategy. Now, it’s ready to show that all the chemistry experiments and cleanroom work can actually move metal.
From Prototypes to Proof
The BMW–Solid Power relationship isn’t new—it goes back to 2017, when the two companies signed their first development agreement. By 2021, BMW had its hands on the first prototype cells, which were immediately shipped off to the automaker’s Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) near Munich. This facility, purpose-built for testing future cell formats and production techniques, has been at the heart of BMW’s battery evolution ever since.
By late 2023, BMW had advanced to the “A-sample” stage — industry shorthand for early production-quality prototypes. Earlier this year, reports surfaced of a BMW i7 test car quietly running around Munich with a sulfide-based electrolyte from Solid Power under its floor.
This latest chapter adds a heavyweight to the roster: Samsung SDI. The Korean battery giant will use Solid Power’s sulfide-based solid electrolyte to build complete cells, which will then be tested jointly by BMW and Samsung to validate performance. The ultimate goal? A fully functional BMW demonstration vehicle powered entirely by solid-state batteries.
Why Solid-State Matters
Solid-state batteries are the holy grail of EV technology. By replacing the liquid electrolyte in conventional lithium-ion cells with a solid material, they promise major leaps in energy density, safety, and longevity. They run cooler, pack more power into less space, and drastically reduce fire risk — all of which could help shrink battery size and weight while extending range.
The catch, as always, is cost. Producing these cells at scale remains expensive and complex. That’s why BMW is playing the long game. Executives have repeatedly said that solid-state won’t appear in production cars until around 2030 — once the technology is both affordable and manufacturable in meaningful volumes.
The Road to Reality
BMW isn’t waiting around for the chemistry to catch up. The automaker has invested heavily in its battery infrastructure, particularly at its Parsdorf CMCC facility near Munich. This center is designed not just for today’s lithium-ion Gen6 round cells — which will power the upcoming Neue Klasse models — but also to pivot toward solid-state production when the time is right.
Solid Power, meanwhile, is pursuing a smart business model. Rather than trying to compete directly in cell manufacturing, it’s positioning itself as a supplier of key materials — particularly its proprietary sulfide-based solid electrolyte — to established Tier 1 manufacturers and automakers.
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
In an industry obsessed with rapid breakthroughs, BMW’s approach to solid-state technology is refreshingly methodical. The brand’s philosophy seems clear: don’t rush a revolution; engineer it. The transition from lab samples to an actual test vehicle marks a crucial step forward — one that turns theoretical advantages into tangible results.
If all goes according to plan, the next BMW test car running silently through Munich might not just be another electric sedan — it could be a glimpse at the battery tech that defines the next decade of EV performance.
Bottom line: BMW, Solid Power, and Samsung SDI aren’t just developing a new battery; they’re building the blueprint for the next generation of electric mobility — one solid cell at a time.
Source: BMW