Deepens alliance with Solid Power to commercialize next-gen cell tech.

Under an expanded joint development agreement, BMW Group and Solid Power have added a research and development license as a basis for their common next steps, showing how much the luxury car maker believes in this next-gen technology of solid-state batteries.

Spun out of a program at the University of Colorado in 2011, Solid Power is a U.S.-based battery developer that has been advancing solid-state battery technology.

Due to the promise of its technology, the newly founded Solid Power received the immediate attention of various government, military, and academic organizations. First receiving funding from ARPA-E in 2013, then signing a contract with the U.S. Air Force in 2014. A year later, Solid Power signed an exclusive agreement with the Oak Ridge National Lab until finally, in 2017, its largest benefactor, BMW, entered into a partnership for EV applications, particularly high-performance EVs.

So, what makes solid-state batteries so enticing?

By removing the flammable liquid electrolyte and polymer separator layer in traditional lithium-ion batteries and replacing it with a solid layer.

This thin, solid layer acts as a barrier to keep the anode and cathode from touching one another, as well as acting as a conductive electrolyte. While these functions are the same as in lithium-ion batteries, a solid electrolyte has many benefits that far outweigh the shortcomings.

To make this work, Solid Power's sulfide-based solid electrolyte is the key to powering its all-solid-state battery platform technology.

Lighter, longer-life, and safer batteries are the potential outcome, and with several key investors such as BMW, Ford, and Hyundai, Solid Power is perhaps the closest to achieving a commercial-staged solid-state battery for future EVs and other mobile electric needs.

You can read about Solid Power's most recent investment from the Department of Energy at Solid Power awarded $5.6M DOE funding in the January 16, 2023 edition of Metal Tech News.

The expanded agreement not only broadens the relationship between the companies but also provides significant benefits to both. This includes conducting complementary cell development and manufacturing activities at both Solid power and the BMW Group to further advance all-solid-state cell design and manufacturing know-how.

"BMW remains committed to the pursuit of all-solid-state batteries, a technology which we believe has significant potential for the future," said Frank Weber, a member of the board of management BMW AG, Development. "We look forward to working even more closely with Solid Power and adding the capability to produce solid-state cells based on Solid Power's designs at our own pilot facility."

Regardless of its involvement with Solid Power, BMW has not put all its eggs in one basket. Looking at the nearer future and beyond its relationship with Solid Power, the automaker announced its Gen6 Li-ion cell in September.

"We expect this agreement to accelerate the installation of our solid-state prototype line and our companies' mutual goal of commercializing this promising cell technology," added Weber.

Prior to the installation of the BMW Group's prototype line, the BMW Group's personnel will work hand-in-hand with Solid Power to optimize cell manufacturing processes.

"Expanding our relationship with BMW is further evidence that both companies believe in Solid Power's technology development and the value of solid-state batteries," said Solid Power Interim CEO David Jansen. "We look forward to working side-by-side with BMW's world-class battery team."

As a next step in the long-term industrialization timeline, Solid Power plans to deliver full-scale automotive cells to BMW for testing purposes this year. Furthermore, the first BMW demonstration vehicle featuring all-solid-state battery technology is planned before 2025.