BMW working on Gen6 Battery Tech for future EVs

BMW has started development of Gen6 battery technology. The all-new battery tech is expected to provide around 1000km of range and will be available in the Neue Klasse series of cars.

BMW has begun development of Gen6 battery technology for its EVs. This battery technology will be available in the Neue Klasse (New Class) series of cars beginning in 2025, and will use a cylindrical cell shape, as preferred by Tesla, rather than the flat, prismatic cell shape currently in use.

• The all-new BMW Battery Tech could provide around 1,000km range
• The CO2 emission can be reduced to 60 percent.
• Will have better charging rates and cylindrical cells

What is there in BMW new EV Battery Tech?

According to Thomas Albrecht, BMW's head of Efficient Dynamics, "Gen6 batteries will give us 30% or more range than our current Gen5, but we won't go over 1,000km [620 miles] of range, even though we can." We don't believe such a long range is required." DC rapid-charging time is also expected to be reduced by up to 30%, implying that BMWs in the Gen6 generation will be able to support ultra-rapid charging of around 270kW - on par with the Porsche Taycan.

It's also estimated that Gen6 battery packs will weigh 10-20% less than Gen5 batteries, which weigh around 300kg for a mid-range pack. BMW chemistry will be used in the upcoming Gen6 cylindrical cells. They have a diameter of 46mm and a height of 95mm or 120mm. They will be sourced from Chinese battery manufacturers CATL and EV, and will ultimately be an evolution of the conventional lithium-ion chemistry that is common in today's EVs.

The new cell shape has also resulted in a slimmer battery-pack design that allows for a more versatile 'pack-to-open-body' installation process, in which the battery essentially becomes an integral part of the car's structure. “With this next generation of battery, we will be much more flexible with how we integrate the cell. The whole vehicle is becoming more adaptive towards that", said Marie-Therese von Srbik, head of battery cell development at BMW.

The company's experts would not comment on the new batteries' longevity, but Albrecht confirmed and said, “Legislation is coming in to further guarantee battery life. For instance, the US will require a minimum 80 percent battery performance after 10 years. We're performing better than that.”

What are the benefits of the BMW new EV Battery Tech?

There are also financial benefits, as BMW estimates that changes in battery design and manufacturing process will reduce production costs by 50% - a significant savings given that the battery currently accounts for around 40% of the total cost of an EV.

The same changes, which include a push toward 100% renewable energy in all of BMW's facilities and those of its third-party suppliers, are said to result in a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions during production. BMW is also concerned with recycling. Von Srbik elaborated.: “We're still aiming for a cyclical life with the metals in our batteries. We’ve even managed to achieve our first closed loop with one of our manufacturers in China. But overall it’s a very long loop. Batteries have a long life, and you have to think about a whole new industry in the meantime, but we can eventually get to a point where most, if not all, of the precious metals in our batteries can be from recycled sources."

Following their introduction in 2025, Gen6 batteries will be used by all BMW Group brands, ranging from Rolls-Royce to BMW to Mini.

In India, BMW currently sells the i4 electric sedan and the iX electric SUV.