BMW promises 30% increase in range and charging speed with next-generation battery
BMW on Friday released the first details on its new sixth-generation battery design. The sixth-generation battery is expected to offer significant performance improvements over the current fifth-generation batteries used in BMW's latest electric vehicles, such as the 2022 BMW iX and 2022 BMW i4.
The new battery follows familiar lithium-ion technology, but uses a round cell design that offers packaging advantages over the square cell design currently used by BMW and is referred to as a "pack-to-open body." [Inside the actual cell, the silicon content on the anode side and the nickel content on the cathode side are increased, while the expensive cobalt content is reduced. If necessary, the cobalt can be replaced with lithium iron phosphate. [According to the automaker, the new design increases the volumetric energy density of the cell by 20%. In addition, the automakers expect a 30% increase in range compared to a fifth-generation battery of similar size and weight. [Another important advantage of the new battery is its switch to an 800-volt electrical architecture, which allows for faster DC charging and is being adopted by an increasing number of automakers. % faster than at present. [Battery development will take place at BMW's Battery Cell Competence Center in Munich, Germany. BMW will also be responsible for battery production, with six plants with an annual production capacity of up to 20 gwh each. six plants will be evenly distributed in China, Europe, and North America, Both new and recycled materials will be used in the batteries, and according to BMW, this last factor combined with the new cell design will reduce battery production costs by up to 50% compared to the 5th generation batteries.
BMW will introduce this new battery in a family of EVs codenamed Neue Klasse, which means "New Class" in German. The first Neue Klasse EVs will be available in 2025 and will include a sedan and a sporty SUV in the 3 Series segment.
