BMW to use round battery cells from 2025

MUNICH: BMW AG will start using newly-developed round battery cells from 2025.

The sixth generation of the lithium-ion cells will increase energy density by more than 20 percent, improve charging speed by up to 30 percent and enhance range by up to 30 percent, said a BMW spokesman.

The cell production would cut CO2 emissions by up to 60 percent, he added.

With the round cell designed for the electric architecture of the NEUE KLASSE models, it will be possible to increase the range of the highest-range model by up to 30% (WLTP).

The new BMW round cells come with a standard diameter of 46mm and two different heights.

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Compared to the prismatic cells of the fifth BMW battery cell generation, the nickel content in the sixth-generation BMW round cells is higher on the cathode side, while the cobalt content is reduced.

On the anode side, the silicon content will be increased. As a result, the cell’s volumetric energy density will improve by more than 20 percent.

The battery system plays a key role in the body structure of the NEUE KLASSE. Depending on the model, it can be flexibly integrated into the installation space to save space. The cell module level is thus eliminated.

The battery, drive train and charging technology in the NEUE KLASSE will also have a higher voltage of 800 volts.

Among other things, this will optimise how energy is supplied to direct current high-power charging stations, which can achieve a much higher charging capacity with a current of up to 500 amperes – thus reducing the time it takes to charge the vehicle from 10 to 80 percent by up to 30 percent.

To supply the battery cells needed for the NEUE KLASSE, BMW has already awarded contracts for construction of battery cell factories to CATL and EVE Energy.

Both partners will build two gigafactories in China and Europe. Each of the battery cell factories will have a total annual capacity of up to 20 GWh.

Plans call for two more battery cell factories to be built in the North American free trade zone, USMCA, for which the partners have not yet been nominated.