Automaker BMW is chasing that solid-state battery tech carrot, same as most everyone else in the industry. Today, it’s announcing a new partnership with battery technology company Solid Power to develop and commercialize the latter’s solid-sate battery technology for use in electric vehicles.
Solid State already produces batteries made up of inorganic materials developed by the company specifically for the purpose, which can produce battery cells that have a higher energy density vs. their lithium-ion equivalents, which means more power and range from the same size battery, ultimately.
It also has benefits in terms of safety, length of useful battery life and operating conditions, vs. liquid-based batteries. Which all sounds great, but it still requires a lot of work to bring the University of Colorado Boulder spinout operation’s research into the realm of wide-scale commercial viability.
Which is where BMW steps in to help. The automaker’s resources and expertise can definitely accelerate Solid Power’s commercialization ambitions, and this joint effort will focus on sharing of R&D efforts as well, building on the extensive in-house work BMW has already done in the area of battery tech and electrification of vehicles.