BMW has begun on‑road trials of its first all‑solid‑state battery (ASSB) electric vehicles, using a modified i7 sedan equipped with prismatic cells powered by Solid Power’s sulfide‑based electrolyte.
Known as the “holy grail” of EV battery technology, ASSBs promise significantly higher energy density in a smaller, lighter package. This could boost driving range and reduce costs by packing more power into less space.
The test i7 runs on BMW’s current Gen‑5 architecture, but the platform has been adapted with new module concepts to accommodate the large‑format solid‑state cells supplied by Solid Power.
BMW and Solid Power have collaborated since 2022, and BMW’s Parsdorf Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre is set to host a licensed prototype line. In the coming months, BMW will monitor critical parameters like cell expansion, pressure control, and thermal management during the tests.
Although competitors like Mercedes‑Benz and Factorial Energy have already demonstrated lithium‑metal solid‑state batteries in modified EQS vehicles, BMW’s tests represent pure all‑solid‑state experimentation in real‑world conditions.
Despite solid‑state’s promise, BMW VP Martin Schuster cautions that while the technology shows potential, it remains expensive. The OEM is also advancing Gen‑6 lithium‑ion batteries, expected to deliver vast improvements in range, charging speed, and cost by the mid‑2030s, potentially delaying ASSB in production.
