BMW: Cells with solid electrolyte? We will have prototypes very soon, commercialization after 2025.

In an interview with Car magazine, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse emphasized that the company has invested in solid electrolyte cells and expects working prototypes in the near future. But the technology won't be commercialized with the launch of the Neue Klasse.

BMW Neue Klasse in 2025, later solid-state

Zipse swears that the presentation of solid electrolyte cells will happen quickly. They are being developed for BMW (and Ford) by start-up Solid Power, which can already produce cells in 20 Ah packs. The planned capacity is 100 Ah, prototypes have already been demonstrated, the company promises to deliver them to investors in 2022 so that they can start experimental implementations in cars.

Cell prototype 100 Ah (left) and 20 Ah (right) from Solid Power. Elements like the ones on the left could power electric BMW and Ford (c) Solid Power in a few years.

But the BMW Neue Klasse, an all-new automotive platform specifically designed for electricians, will launch in 2025 with classic lithium-ion cells with liquid electrolytes. Yes, they will have a higher energy density than today, but it will still be modern technology. Semiconductors are expected to appear in the Neue Klasse line in the future.

Similar claims are made by other manufacturers, QuantumScape and Volkswagen talk about commercialization around 2024/25, LG Chem announces its debut of solid electrolyte cells in the second half of the decade. Toyota talks about mass production in 2025. The most daring are Chinese brands, including Nio, which "in less than two years" wants to launch the Nio ET7 model with a 150 kWh solid-state battery.

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