05:08 09-11-2025

BMW partners with Samsung SDI and Solid Power to advance solid-state EV batteries

BMW teams up with Samsung SDI and Solid Power to trial all-solid-state batteries in an i7 prototype, targeting longer range, faster charging and a 2030 debut.

BMW has officially announced a partnership with Samsung SDI and Solid Power to accelerate the development of all-solid-state batteries (ASSB), a technology poised to become a pivotal step for the electric vehicle industry. The company is already testing initial samples in a modified version of its flagship i7 sedan.

According to Martin Schuster, BMW’s vice president for battery development, bringing Samsung SDI into the project gives a significant boost on the path to introducing new battery technologies. Solid Power will supply a sulfide solid electrolyte, and on that basis Samsung SDI will produce finished cells for BMW’s test vehicles.

Solid-state batteries promise nearly double the energy density of today’s lithium-ion cells, while offering improved safety, lower weight, and markedly shorter charging times. In theory, EVs equipped with such packs could travel up to 1,000 kilometers on a single charge.

The move to validate the tech in a road-ready flagship rather than keeping it confined to the lab indicates a focus on real-world results. The choice of partners also looks pragmatic: a solid-electrolyte specialist paired with an experienced cell manufacturer points to a clear route from materials to manufacturable hardware.

Solid Power president John Van Scoter noted that working with industry leaders would help accelerate broader adoption of the technology. BMW plans to introduce its first production EV with a solid-state battery by the end of the decade, a timeline that, if achieved, could set a new direction for the brand’s electric lineup.