BMW is to start testing a solid-state battery this year for a prototype vehicle planned to be on the road before 2025, writes Brian Byrne.
The Munich-based carmaker is developing the battery with US-based Solid Power, a company it has been working with since 2017.
Solid state batteries are expected to provide longer ranges and faster charging times than the current lithium batteries in use for EVs.
Nissan and Volkswagen are also working to develop such batteries, and the date pencilled in for production vehicles by all three is around 2030. Toyota is investing heavily in the technology and has taken out a number of patents for their work.
Manufacturing capacity to the level required for the global EV industry is a significant hurdle.
