Samsung SDI joins BMW and Solid Power on all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) development

31 October 2025, 21:18:34

Since 2022, the BMW Group and Solid Power, Inc. have intensified their collaboration to develop all-solid-state battery technology, advancing through a technology transfer agreement that recently culminated in the integration of Solid Power's large-format pure ASSB cells into a BMW i7 technology test vehicle.

In October 2025, Samsung SDI joined the effort, forming a three-way collaboration that combines the complementary strengths of an automaker, a solid-electrolyte developer, and a major battery manufacturer to accelerate development and validation of ASSB technology for automotive use.

Under the agreement, Solid Power will supply a sulfide-based solid electrolyte to Samsung SDI; Samsung SDI will incorporate that electrolyte into separators and/or catholytes and manufacture cells, subject to meeting agreed technical requirements.

The resulting cells will be evaluated against performance parameters and requirements to be defined between Samsung SDI and the BMW Group, with the shared objective of developing ASSB cells suitable for integration into a next generation of BMW evaluation vehicles

The partners point to the fundamental advantages of true all-solid-state batteries: the potential for higher energy density and improved safety by replacing liquid electrolytes with solid materials, which could enable longer driving ranges without proportionally increasing the weight of the storage system.

BMW and Solid Power have collaborated since 2016 under an extended Joint Development Agreement, with BMW investing in Solid Power during a May 2021 financing round and agreeing at the end of 2022 to deepen the partnership, including BMW operating a solid-state cell prototype line at the CMCC in Parsdorf under a research and development license supported by Solid Power's expertise.

The BMW Group has been building battery cell competence since 2008 and has concentrated that know-how at the Battery Cell Competence Center in Munich since 2019, covering the full value chain from research and development through battery cell design to production.

To implement battery cell innovations quickly and efficiently, the BMW Group cooperates with a network of roughly 300 partners, including established companies, start-ups and universities, which supports its strategy to compete on equal footing with leading cell manufacturers through deep in-house knowledge.

That strategic position secures BMW access to new and innovative battery cell research solutions worldwide and strengthens its role in the battery value chain.

The BMW Group, which includes the brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, is a leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and offers premium financial services, operating over 30 production sites with a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles, reporting profit before tax of €11.0 billion on revenues of €142.4 billion and employing 159,104 people as of 31 December 2024; sustainability and long-term responsible action remain core elements of its corporate strategy across the product lifecycle.

Solid Power is developing solid-state battery technology for the next generation of batteries across EV and other markets, centering on a sulfide-based electrolyte material it believes can enable extended driving range, longer battery life, improved safety and lower cost versus conventional lithium-ion technology.

Solid Power’s business model focuses on selling its electrolyte to cell manufacturers and licensing cell designs and manufacturing processes, positioning the company to become a leading supplier and distributor of sulfide-based solid electrolyte material for EVs and other applications.

Samsung SDI, headquartered in the Republic of Korea, is a global battery and electronic materials manufacturer active in electric vehicles, energy storage systems and IT devices, pursuing transformation and innovation across e-mobility, energy solutions, semiconductors and displays while committing to source 100% renewable electricity across global operations by 2050.

News related to Samsung, Samsung SDI, BMW or Solid Power

BMW has officially unveiled the 2027 BMW 7 Series, and at the center of the global debut are three all‑electric models that redefine the brand's luxury and technological ambitions: BMW i7 50 xDrive specifications BMW i7 60 xDrive specifications BMW i7 M70 xDrive specifications Presented simultaneously in Beijing and New York, the seventh‑generation flagship marks the most significant step yet in bringing Neue Klasse...

23 April 2026

BMW Group has announced a new strategic collaboration with Croatia‑based Rimac Technology to develop an advanced high‑voltage battery system for the upcoming all‑electric BMW i7. The partnership marks a significant step in BMW’s rollout of its sixth‑generation eDrive technology (Gen6), which promises greater energy density, longer driving range and substantially faster charging. According to BMW, the new battery...

7 April 2026

BMW has officially revealed the next chapter of its iconic 3 Series: the fully electric BMW i3, the second model in the Neue Klasse and a technological milestone for the brand. Described in the press release as "a technological quantum leap into a new era," the new i3 blends the familiar sporting DNA of the 3 Series with cutting‑edge EV engineering, advanced digital interfaces, and a bold reinterpretation of BMW...

18 March 2026

BMW is sharpening its focus on sustainability as it prepares the next generation of electric vehicles, with the all-new BMW i3 emerging as a central pillar of the company's 360° decarbonisation strategy. This holistic approach spans the entire lifecycle of the vehicle - from development and supply chain to production and end‑of‑use - ensuring that the second Neue Klasse model plays a decisive role in meeting BMW's...

16 March 2026

InterBattery 2026 opened at Coex in Seoul on March 11, drawing large crowds from the first day and highlighting the growing global interest in advanced battery technologies. Samsung SDI hosted the largest booth at the event and presented a wide range of solutions designed to support the rapidly expanding AI ecosystem. Operating under the theme "AI Thinks. Battery Enables," the company emphasized how next‑generation...

12 March 2026

BMW Group's Plant Munich has reached a significant production milestone with the launch of the first near‑series test vehicles for the new BMW i3, marking the start of the final preparation phase ahead of series production scheduled for the second half of 2026. The move brings the plant one step closer to full-scale manufacturing after completing major upgrades to its manufacturing and logistics infrastructure...

4 February 2026

BMW is preparing a round of updates for its electric lineup in spring 2026, introducing new drive technology and expanded equipment options across several models. The BMW iX1 and iX2 will both benefit from upgraded power electronics designed to reduce energy consumption and extend driving range. At the same time, the BMW iX3 will have new colors and charging options. As of spring 2026, the BMW iX1 eDrive20 (16.1...

29 January 2026

BMW M is preparing to bring its "Ultimate Driving Machine" ethos into the electric era. Beginning in 2027, the BMW M Neue Klasse will mark a new chapter for high‑performance vehicles, translating the brand's motto into a fully electric reality. According to BMW M GmbH Managing Director Franciscus van Meel, this next generation will set new standards for performance and deliver racetrack‑ready dynamics suited to...

14 January 2026

Samsung SDI has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean automaker KG Mobility (KGM) to jointly develop next‑generation battery pack technologies centered on Samsung SDI’s 46‑series cylindrical cells, the companies announced this week. The agreement, formalised at a ceremony held at KG Tower, commits both firms to collaborative research and market strategy exchanges aimed at commercialising high‑capacity...

24 December 2025

BMW is charging into fall 2025 with major upgrades to its all-electric i4 lineup, delivering more range, more power, and a sharper edge across the board. The 2026 i4 eDrive40 is expected to top 300 miles of range - regardless of wheel size - while the high-performance variant gets a serious power bump and a new name to match. 2026 BMW i4 M60 specifications 2026 BMW i4 xDrive40 specifications 2026 BMW i4 eDrive40...

7 November 2025

BMW and MINI will headline dynamic exhibits at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, running October 31 through November 9, 2025, showcasing next‑generation vehicles and systems including the first Neue Klasse model, the BMW iX3, new hydrogen fuel cell developments, and a fresh MINI lineup highlighted by a Paul Smith special edition. The event will mark the Asian debut of the BMW iX3 and present a suite of technologies...

29 October 2025

Automakers in North America are increasingly reducing on‑the‑road prices for battery electric vehicles by amounts close to the former $7,500 federal tax credit. Manufacturers are applying the savings in different ways: permanent MSRP adjustments, time‑limited rebates applied at the point of sale, or larger dealer incentives that lower the cash price before financing or leasing. The strategy shortens the cash gap for...

5 October 2025

BMW iX3 50 xDrive specifications BMW presents the first series-produced Neue Klasse model. The new-generation BMW iX3 is a fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) that gives customers their first on-the-road taste of a whole new era of Sheer Driving Pleasure. An all-new design language gives the car a character-rich appearance that faithfully conveys the technological progress made by the new model. With...

5 September 2025

At the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich to be held next month, BMW Group will present one of the most significant new models in the history of its home city. The 2026 BMW iX3, the first model of the Neue Klasse, will celebrate its public premiere accompanied by revolutionary new and groundbreaking technologies for the future of the entire BMW Group. The BMW iX3 will reveal to the public for the first time the enormous...

6 August 2025