Munich/Dresden.
Following the announcement of their expanded collaboration in the field of smart energy and home charging solutions on May 18^th this year, BMW and SOLARWATT are now presenting their joint offering.

For BMW, the integration of the vehicle into the home energy system is a key component in the further development of electric mobility. With the electric drive technology of the Neue Klasse, the electric vehicle becomes an active part of the home energy network and thus takes on a new role – going beyond mere mobility.

It serves as an additional energy storage unit and is seamlessly integrated into the SOLARWATT home energy management system (HEMS) – the SOLARWATT Manager – via the BMW Wallbox Professional.

With the launch at The smarter E / Intersolar Europe 2026 from 23 to 25 June 2026 at Messe München (Hall C5, Stand 640), BMW and SOLARWATT are detailing the technical and commercial aspects of their offering, scheduled for late 2026, for the German, Austrian and Dutch markets. The exhibition is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for the solar industry and energy management.

More than Vehicle-to-Home (V2H): 
HEMS integration optimises energy flows throughout the entire home.

With integration into SOLARWATT’s home energy management system, bidirectional charging with V2H becomes even more convenient and efficient for customers. Whilst V2H already enables the use of energy stored in the vehicle within the home via the BMW Wallbox Professional, integration into the HEMS expands the overall system.

The photovoltaic system (PV system), home battery, electric vehicle and other consumers are intelligently coordinated and controlled as a whole. The HEMS optimises all energy flows proactively and in line with individual usage patterns.

SOLARWATT offers such a HEMS via the SOLARWATT Manager. This automatically controls when a stationary home storage system is charged as a priority and when the electric vehicle is integrated as additional storage.

In addition, solar forecasts can be used to plan available energy even more proactively. If there is insufficient solar power at times – for example during the winter months – dynamic electricity tariffs can also be incorporated to charge the home storage system or vehicle specifically during low-cost periods and subsequently supply the household in a cost-optimised manner.

This not only increases the self-consumption of solar power but also significantly reduces the energy costs of the entire household – unlike Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), the electricity is used within the household and not fed back into the public grid.

For customers, this means more self-generated solar power, less manual control effort, and an energy system that operates intelligently and automatically in the background as part of everyday life. Another advantage is that the SOLARWATT Manager can be connected to a wide range of components from various manufacturers, thereby enhancing existing home installations—including PV systems and home storage units—with intelligent, flexible energy management.

Neue Klasse vehicle, BMW Wallbox Professional & SOLARWATT Manager as prerequisites for the enhanced optimisation of the home energy system

The collaboration between BMW and SOLARWATT has resulted in a solution that integrates seamlessly into existing home installations whilst combining the strengths of both partners. The technical requirements for HEMS integration with V2H are Neue Klasse vehicle models, the bidirectional BMW Wallbox Professional, and the SOLARWATT Manager as the HEMS.

Homeowners can configure their settings via the My BMW App and the SOLARWATT Home app. In the My BMW App, in addition to the current vehicle and Wallbox settings, users can set a charging target and a departure time, which are always prioritized.

In the SOLARWATT Home app, customers can define household priorities – for example, for appliances and storage systems. This ensures that energy is distributed intelligently, reduces the need for manual control, and makes the best possible use of solar power.

Market launch: Orders open from The smarter E / Intersolar Europe 2026

The BMW Wallbox Professional can also be ordered via SOLARWATT – delivery is scheduled from Q4 2026. In existing installations, the SOLARWATT Manager can also be retrofitted. Customers receive an integrated package comprising various components, which is centrally coordinated by SOLARWATT.

At the same time, this package remains flexible, allowing individual components to be combined as required. Furthermore, the offer will be promoted via BMW’s digital channels.

Cooperation since 2013 in the field of electromobility and home storage.

The collaboration between BMW and SOLARWATT in the field of electromobility has been in place since 2013. With the concrete details of the offering now presented, both companies are expanding this cooperation to include a further building block for a connected home energy ecosystem. The experts from BMW and SOLARWATT look forward to welcoming you at the exhibition in Hall C5, Stand 640. The joint presentation, featuring the specific product details, at a press talk on 23 June at 3 pm underscores this next step in development. The trade fair will take place from 23 to 25 June 2026 at Messe München.

Landshut. BMW Group Plant Landshut has started pre-series production of a key control unit for the BMW Group hydrogen drivetrain. The so-called “Energy Master” will in future be used in the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen. At the same time, the site is commissioning a second production line for the control unit used in the battery-electric vehicles of the Neue Klasse (BMW iX3 and BMW i3).

The Energy Master is the central control unit of the high-voltage system. In battery-electric vehicles, it is mounted on the high-voltage battery. In the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, a modified version performs a central control function within the drivetrain system and is installed on the BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system. The control unit combines energy and data flows, manages the power supply for the e-machine and on-board electrical system, and ensures safe, intelligent operation of the overall system. This makes it the key interface between the fuel cell system, the innovative high-voltage battery and the electric drive machines.

Josef Hochreiter, Vice President Hydrogen Vehicles at the BMW Group: “Our ambition for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is clear: a genuine BMW – with sheer driving pleasure. To achieve this, a perfectly coordinated overall system is crucial. The Energy Master is a key component in this: it intelligently controls the innovative high-voltage battery and, together with the third-generation fuel cell system, delivers assured driving dynamics.”

The plant’s expertise creates synergies between battery-electric and hydrogen-based drivetrain technologies. The close integration of electrical/electronics expertise and industrial series production makes the plant ideally suited to manufacture components for both technology paths. At the BMW Group, the development and production of the Energy Master are being carried out fully in-house for the first time.

Thomas Thym, Head of BMW Group Plant Landshut: “With the start of pre-series production of the hydrogen-specific Energy Master, we are reinforcing Plant Landshut’s role as a centre of expertise for innovative drivetrain technologies. Here we combine development, manufacturing expertise and industrial scaling – for battery-electric vehicles as well as hydrogen fuel cells.”

Landshut’s role in electromobility
BMW Group Plant Landshut is home to two production areas for the Energy Master. For battery-electric vehicles (BEV), the highly complex control unit has already been in series production since last year – currently for the BMW iX3 and BMW i3 models of the Neue Klasse. With the commissioning of the second production line, capacity for this will almost double. At the same time, pre-series production of the hydrogen-specific Energy Master for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is now beginning.

In addition, Landshut plays a central role in the BMW Group hydrogen drivetrain network: the media distribution plate and the fuel cell stack housing for the current pilot fleet of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen were already produced here and have since been further refined. The media distribution plate ensures the precise distribution of hydrogen and air within the fuel cell, while the stack housing structurally integrates and protects the cell stack.

The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen
For the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, which will be launched in 2028, the BMW Group is introducing a new hydrogen tank concept. The arrangement and size of the tanks enable a range of up to 750 kilometres*. The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system makes particularly efficient use of the available installation space and is compatible with the Gen6 high-voltage battery without taking up interior space. This makes it possible to produce fuel cell models on the same production line as vehicles with other drive systems.

The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage technology forms part of the drivetrain. Together with the fuel cell system and an innovative high-voltage battery, it delivers the brand-typical BMW driving pleasure. The latest generation of fuel cell technology (Gen3) will also be used; it is more compact, more efficient and more powerful than all previous generations and is being developed jointly by the BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation.

Series production of the fuel cell systems will begin from 2028 at BMW Group Plant Steyr; Landshut is firmly integrated as a technology and component location.

The BMW Hydrogen strategy
The BMW Group sees technological openness and a broad product portfolio as key success factors. By integrating fuel cell technology into the new BMW X5 series, the company is strategically expanding its series offering and making the advantages of hydrogen available to customers.

Hydrogen stands for electric driving with long range and fast refuelling, diversifies energy sources and reduces dependence on a single infrastructure or raw material supply chain.

Investment and funding strengthen Germany as an industrial location
Through the "HyPowerDrive" project the development of the powertrain and the tank system of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) within the framework of the IPCEI Hy2Move. The federal government is providing funding of EUR 191 million. In addition, the project is (co-)financed by the state of Bavaria with a total of EUR 82 million. The funding is implemented by the Project Management Jülich (PtJ) and coordinated by NOW GmbH.

Since 2020, the BMW Group has invested a high three-digit million-euro sum in expanding electromobility and related key technologies at Plant Landshut.

CO2 emissions & consumption.

* As this is a prototype in the development phase, the statutory WLTP consumption data (and EPA) is not yet available.

Munich/Dresden. BMW and SOLARWATT are further expanding their collaboration in the field of smart energy and home charging solutions.

With the launch of the first models in the Neue Klasse, the BMW iX3 and the BMW i3, BMW is beginning the rollout of its bidirectional charging technology.

Following Germany’s first commercial Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) offering - available since March 2026 - the next logical step for Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) is now being taken: BMW iX3 and BMW i3 customers can now make even more extensive use of this new technology in their vehicles.

With the increasing electrification of mobility and customer households, new opportunities are emerging for holistic energy optimization and the integration of both ecosystems.

As part of this, BMW and SOLARWATT are optimizing the integration of the electric vehicle into the customer’s household. To this end, the SOLARWATT Manager home energy management system (HEMS) will serve as the link between both ecosystems in the future.

The SOLARWATT HEMS handles the central and intelligent control and optimization of energy flows in the household via coordinated and communicating components. This efficiently optimizes the generation, storage, and consumption of energy.

The electric vehicle is seamlessly integrated into the interaction between the photovoltaic system (PV system), home storage, and consumers in the home as an additional storage unit.

This home network integration is made possible by combining BMW Neue Klasse models with the bidirectional BMW Wallbox Professional, which not only charges the vehicle but can also feed energy back into the home when needed.

The market launch for the integration of bidirectional BMW vehicles into SOLARWATT’s new HEMS for Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) applications is planned for late 2026 in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

BMW and SOLARWATT have been collaborating in the field of electromobility since 2013. In 2021, the two partners also launched a home storage system featuring a battery module that incorporates components also used in the BMW Group’s electric vehicles. Since 2025, the successor model, SOLARWATT Battery vision, has been available, with its housing and design created by BMW Designworks USA.

Smart Connectivity: Energy Management and Home Network Integration in perfect harmony

Since the launch of the Neue Klasse, BMW has relied on Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology as a gateway to bidirectional charging, the use of solar energy, and the reduction of energy costs.

The offering is now being expanded to include home network integration for optimal energy management. This marks a significant advancement for V2H applications. The intelligent interaction of all components (BMW electric vehicle, BMW Wallbox Professional, HEMS from SOLARWATT, home storage, and other consumers) creates a holistic system that not only optimizes self-consumption but also takes the flexibility and efficiency of the home energy supply to a new level.

Homeowners control their settings via the My BMW App and the SOLARWATT Home app. With the V2H option, the electric car serves as additional storage for surplus solar power generated by the PV system. In addition to optimizing the interaction of all components, the SOLARWATT Manager allows for the integration of dynamic electricity rates and the incorporation of solar forecasts to further optimize charging and discharging processes, further reduce energy costs, and increase self-sufficiency.

The SOLARWATT Manager is designed to be open: In addition to SOLARWATT's product range, home storage systems from other brands can also be integrated. This creates a flexible home energy system that can be expanded in stages.

Overall Optimization: Electric Car Complements Home Battery Storage

“Drivers of a Neue Klasse electric car like the BMW iX3 can use the additional storage to make even more efficient use of self-generated solar power, increase self-consumption, and thus reduce their reliance on expensive grid electricity. For many homeowners, the prospect of expanding an existing home battery storage system with an electric car is highly attractive. This significantly increases the benefits of one’s own PV system, lowers electricity costs, and makes the home even less dependent on purchasing electricity from the grid,” says SOLARWATT CPO Peter Bachmann.

“At the same time, bidirectional charging holds enormous potential for the energy transition, as the batteries of electric vehicles collectively form a massive storage reserve. If this flexibility is intelligently integrated into energy markets and households, it can help relieve the strain on power grids, better integrate renewable energy, and make additional storage capacity available quickly and cost-effectively,” says Marcus Krieg, Vice President New Business at the BMW Group.

Market Launch and Future Strategic Direction

Following the next public milestone at Intersolar (The Smarter E), the focus is on the phased implementation of the next project milestones leading up to the market launch at the end of this year.

BMW and SOLARWATT consistently place the customer and their entire ecosystem at the center of their efforts. The partners aim to enable seamless and reliable interaction between all components in the home and in the vehicle. In doing so, they create a consistent, integrated customer experience and strengthen their position as leading companies in the field of connected vehicle and home usage.

Munich/Zagreb. The BMW Group and the Croatian University of Zagreb’s Regional Centre of Excellence for Robotic Technology (CRTA) continue to advance joint research in battery cell production. The “Insight” research project will develop and implement practical AI models to optimise battery cell production at the BMW Group. The research project covers the entire battery cell value chain: from electrode production to end-of-line testing and in-house developed direct recycling.

How the research project saves raw materials, costs and time

At the Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in Munich, the BMW Group is developing battery cells for future generations of high-voltage batteries. As part of this process, numerous test series are conducted, which by their very nature require significant time and material investment. At the same time, these tests tie up manufacturing equipment and laboratory capacity. This is where the “Insight” research project comes in: Its artificial intelligence network uses existing test data, as well as real-time data from ongoing production, to accurately predict battery cell process parameters and performance data. As a result, the duration and number of test series can be significantly reduced, while maintaining or improving quality. In this way, the newly developed AI systems reduce the material and time required in individual process steps by more than 50 percent.

Other cell production use cases

The research project’s prediction models not only reduce the number of test series but also support final approval of battery cells. Following initial charging at the end of production, the cells must be stored for a defined period at precisely specified temperatures before they can be installed in a battery housing. This phase, also referred to as the “quarantine”, requires corresponding storage capacity. However, the research project’s AI systems are able to conduct a full analysis of the battery cells in advance, potentially eliminating this process step in the future.

Research collaboration combines theory and practice

Since the project was launched in 2024, the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb have been developing joint solutions using artificial intelligence to improve battery cell production. To this end, doctoral candidates and students at the University of Zagreb are collating and structuring available production data and using it to create AI models that can identify specific patterns. These AI models then make predictions that further optimise production performance, quality and costs. “We are working on scaling the newly developed AI models from the prototype environment,” explains Christian Siedelhofer, head of Technology Development Lithium-Ion Battery Cells at the BMW Group. One option would be to enable cell manufacturers. “We are also examining to what extent these models are suitable for additional use cases within our production network.”

Win-win through knowledge sharing

The University of Zagreb contributes expertise in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science to the project. Ongoing knowledge sharing benefits both partners: The University of Zagreb provides the BMW Group with access to the latest research findings, while its doctoral candidates and students have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice.

Development of young talent

Another aspect of the cooperation is the development of young talent. “Our joint project gets doctoral candidates and students interested in AI and battery cells and the exciting work we do at our Battery Cell Competence Centres,” says Stefan Kerscher, head of Technology Development Battery Cells at the BMW Group. “We are delighted when young talents decide to embark on a career with our company.” The cooperation offers students intensive mentoring and the opportunity to expand their professional network across the industry, enhancing their attractiveness on the job market and opening up outstanding career opportunities. The cooperation between the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb strengthens the innovation capability and competitiveness of both partners.

Battery cell expertise along the entire value chain

The BMW Group consolidates its battery cell know-how at its Competence Centres in Munich, Parsdorf and Salching. The Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in Munich houses research and development for the battery cells of the future. The best battery concept from the BCCC will be produced under near-series conditions at the Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf. Close cross-divisional collaboration between Development, Purchasing and Production integrates product and process in a unique way. In addition to producing sample cells, the BMW Group is also focusing its efforts on the reuse of materials. As part of this process, the company has put into service a Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) in Salching, Lower Bavaria, together with Encory GmbH, which will implement the innovative direct recycling concept. The intellectual property for the recycling method is owned by the BMW Group.

Munich. The BMW Group is adopting a new and innovative hydrogen tank technology for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen. The new arrangement and size of the tanks enables a higher range of up to 750 km (up to 385 miles)*. The new BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system offers the added advantage of making exceptionally efficient use of the space it occupies in the vehicle and is compatible with the Gen6 high-voltage battery, meaning that no room is lost inside the cabin. Models with fuel cell technology can therefore be built on the same production line as those with other drive system types. The 700 bar high-pressure hydrogen tanks additionally benefit from the mechanical protection provided by the vehicle structure, further increasing safety.

“Our new storage concept allows us to fit the hydrogen drive system into the new X5 precisely and in a way that saves space,” says Dr Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “Think of it as installation Tetris: every customer gets the drive system best suited to their needs and a true BMW X5 with no compromises. This is technology openness and the art of engineering just the way we developers love them!”

Smart storage, more range.
The new flat tank system consists of seven high-pressure tanks made of carbon-fibre reinforced composite, which are connected with one another in parallel and integrated into a robust metal frame. What makes the design special is that, instead of individual pressure vessels, there are several chambers connected to form an enclosed unit. This unit is controlled by a central main valve. In this way, the optimised storage concept enables the BMW iX5 Hydrogen to achieve a greater range. This development alone accounts for several patent applications filed by the BMW Group. The system is able to store at least seven kilograms of hydrogen in total and can be filled from empty in under five minutes. As is customary for BMW hydrogen models, refuelling is safe, clean and fast. 

Experience hallmark BMW driving pleasure, refuel faster, drive further.
The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage technology forms part of the powertrain. It combines with the fuel cell system and an innovative high-voltage battery to deliver the driving pleasure for which BMW is renowned. Here, the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen also benefits from the new Heart of Joy drivetrain and chassis control software, as well as BMW Dynamic Performance Control. It is also equipped with latest-generation Gen3 fuel cell technology, which is more efficient and powerful than any preceding generation. 

Flexible production to meet customer requirements. 
Thanks to the smart and highly flexible architecture of the new BMW X5, five different drive system variants of the model can be built to suit customer requirements: from battery-electric systems and plug-in hybrids through highly efficient conventional drive systems to hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Synergies in production are optimised. Uniform geometrical specifications for energy storage systems and drive components reduce technical complexity and lower production costs. At the same time, the flexible platform increases manufacturing robustness, facilitates the integration of new technologies and maximises scalability. It paves the way for widespread introduction of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen into the BMW Group’s production network in 2028.

BMW Hydrogen strategy 
A technology-open approach and a diverse product portfolio continue to be key success factors for the BMW Group. By integrating fuel cell technology into the new BMW X5 series, the company is strategically expanding its production line-up and making the advantages of hydrogen available to its customers. Hydrogen enables electric driving with a long range and fast refuelling, diversifies energy sources and reduces dependence on a single infrastructure or chain of raw materials.

Through the "HyPowerDrive" project the development of the powertrain and the tank system of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) within the framework of the IPCEI Hy2Move. The federal government is providing funding of EUR 191 million. In addition, the project is (co-)financed by the state of Bavaria with a total of EUR 82 million. The funding is implemented by the Project Management Jülich (PtJ) and coordinated by NOW GmbH.

Munich. BMW Group Plant Munich is approaching the biggest milestone in the transformation process: series production of the BMW i3, the second model in the Neue Klasse range, gets underway here in August. This marks the start of the rollout of the Neue Klasse within the BMW Group’s global production network.

“We have been making rigorous preparations. With the BMW iFACTORY we have devised a consistent, strategic framework for our production,” explains Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production. “We have paved the way for the upcoming start-ups in all our plants and have invested heavily in technologies, digitalisation and AI.”

BMW Group Plant Munich has undergone extensive modernisation in recent years. The result is a plant that now works even more efficiently, flexibly and digitally, and is optimally positioned for the requirements of electric mobility and the Neue Klasse.

But that’s not all: as of 2027, the Munich plant will exclusively produce all‑electric vehicles and thereby achieve a further boost in efficiency. This is assisted by proactive planning, close collaboration with development teams and suppliers, as well as modern production technology in the new structures. “We have considerably reduced production costs over recent years. With the start of production of the BMW i3, we will reduce overall production costs at the Munich plant by a further 10 per cent, bringing them below the level of the current vehicle generation,” says Peter Weber, Head of BMW Group Plant Munich. In addition to optimised production processes and targeted automation and digitalisation, the new vehicle architecture of the Neue Klasse also ensures efficiency.

Plant Munich is investing around 650 million euros in its transformation into a fully electric production site.

Highly efficient production at historic site

Plant Munich has been consistently reinventing itself for more than 100 years – from a location outside the city to today’s site surrounded by it. The facility has undergone a fundamental process of redevelopment for the Neue Klasse – with production of up to 1,000 vehicles a day continuing during this period. A new body shop and state-of-the-art vehicle assembly including new logistics areas were set up on an area spanning around a third of the plant’s footprint. Extensive updates have also been made to existing technologies.

Plant manager Peter Weber highlights what the workforce has achieved: “The people at the factory played an essential role in making this transformation a success. With their high level of expertise, enthusiasm and tremendous dedication, our employees have shown that world-class industrial production is possible even under the toughest conditions. The BMW i3 is just the beginning – several Neue Klasse models will be manufactured in Munich in the future, including the BMW i3 Touring.”

A vision for all technologies: the BMW iFACTORY

The BMW iFACTORY focuses on the areas of efficiency, sustainability and digitalisation. Within this framework, the company’s plants around the world are implementing site-specific solutions and, in so doing, strengthening the company’s resilience as well as its ability to deliver reliably at any time and worldwide. This vision has now also been consistently implemented across all technologies at BMW Group Plant Munich.

“We have rethought the entire value stream from supplier to finished customer vehicle. We have looked at every single process in detail and made optimisations. Now our plant is even more efficient, more flexible and even more digitised than ever before. We are thereby safeguarding the future viability of the plant,” adds Peter Weber.

In the press shop, steel and aluminium boards are turned into tens of thousands of components on highly automated press lines daily. Uniform press and tool standards across the global production network result in efficiencies on many levels: installation and integration of the systems are standardised, tools for the presses can be swapped within the network, and employees can work at various locations and help each other. An AI-assisted camera system supports quality control before an underground transport system moves the parts to the body shop. Output has increased significantly compared with previous structures. Cuts of steel and aluminium are collected, sorted and then used to manufacture new steel or aluminium coils.

Plant Munich has set up a new body shop for the Neue Klasse featuring systems planned and realised using a virtual twin. A total of 800 new industrial robots take care of the joining processes here; decreasing the number of joining processes to five reduces process complexity. With an automation rate of around 98 per cent, robots perform the majority of standardised processes. Automated surface inspection (ASI) assists with quality assurance.

In the paint shop at Plant Munich, digital and AI-assisted systems control central quality processes. Automated surface inspection (ASI) uses cameras and artificial intelligence to detect even the most minor deviations on the surface and documents them digitally. Automated surface processing (ASP) works on the variations detected directly during the running process. To purify the exhaust air, the paint shop uses the energy-efficient, electrically powered eRTO process. This is complemented by heat and energy recovery as well as water-saving cycles.

What once was the home of engine manufacturing at BMW Group Plant Munich has become a new assembly area for the Neue Klasse. The assembly area is set up for end-to-end digital processes: vehicles, systems and tools are interconnected and digital live tracking and automated inline quality checks support employees in the assembly line process. During assembly already, the BMW i3 digitally transmits the status of up to 20,000 features to the production system. Ergonomic workstations, height-adjustable systems and simplified processes lighten the load for employees, while targeted training supports new digital fields.

Aspart of the transformation, logistics at BMW Group Plant Munich has focused squarely on efficiency and direct integration of production. The logistics department at the Munich plant moves around 2.5 million parts every day; in future around 70 per cent of these parts will be delivered directly to the assembly workstations. This will reduce internal transport distances, save space and accelerate supply to the production lines. This is made possible by a multi-storey building structure developed specially for the plant’s city location. Delivery is at ground level and then conveyor technology transports the parts to the right levels, where they are distributed directly to the assembly workstations. This enables the principle of direct delivery to be applied systematically even in a multi-storey plant. At the same time, the level of automation in logistics has been significantly increased. Automated supply systems, smart transport robots and driverless transport systems will handle around 60 per cent of supply tasks in the future. A digital logistics control station manages all processes centrally, ensuring transparency and data-driven optimisation.

Unique to Plant Munich is the in-house seat manufacturing facility. It is a “plant inside a plant” and takes on a central role for quality assurance and expert evaluation within the production network. The seats for all versions of the models produced in Munich are manufactured here and delivered to vehicle assembly directly and “just in sequence”. The in‑house seat manufacturing facility is regarded as the benchmark for quality assurance across the BMW Group. Modern, largely automated processes ensure seamless quality control. This is complemented by fully automated end-of-line checks, including for safety-relevant components. The seat manufacturing facility also systematically strengthens the BMW Group’s in-house expertise. It serves as a competence centre and innovation hub, tests new materials, technologies and manufacturing concepts, and supports the evaluation of costs, quality and production processes – making an impact far beyond the Munich location.

Global network, regional value creation: high-voltage batteries and e-drive

With the new assembly plant for high-voltage batteries in Irlbach‑Straßkirchen (Lower Bavaria, Germany) around 90 minutes away, the BMW Group is significantly boosting value creation in the Bavaria region. In keeping with the “local for local” approach, Irlbach-Straßkirchen will deliver high-voltage Gen6 batteries to the Munich plant as well as other German locations. Here, the batteries will be installed in the BMW i3. Manufacture of the high-voltage batteries combines a rigorous zero-defect approach with the latest production technologies, which were developed at Bavarian pilot plants. With seamless inline quality controls, digital twins and the systematic use of artificial intelligence, the BMW Group is setting new standards in battery production.

The Gen6 e-motor for the BMW i3 is produced at BMW Group Plant Steyr in Austria – a location that has been manufacturing drivetrains for over 40 years. With the first e-motor in the portfolio, the plant is developing its role as a prime example of technology openness. All core components of the highly integrated e-drive – from the rotor and stator to the inverter and transmission – are produced on-site. New production lines and state‑of‑the‑art clean room environments have been set up for this. The aluminium foundry at BMW Group Plant Landshut supplies the e-motor housing for Plant Steyr.

From the management summary of the study: "The transformation of the entire transport sector towards fossil-free energy sources is a challenge that cannot be met by the electrification of drive systems alone.

It is therefore essential to realise the CO2 reduction potential of all energy sources.

In addition to hydrogen, for example, the focus here is primarily on liquid fuels that can be integrated into the supply infrastructure without technical modifications.

Renewable fuels - so-called Carbon Neutral Fuels, CNF for short - is a collective term that includes all fuels that have a lower CO2 value compared to fossil fuels. This study analyses the substitution potential of advanced, renewable fuels from biological feedstocks compared to fossil fuels in all sectors of the EU.

Based on current scientific literature and various scenarios, this study analyses the availability of advanced feedstocks, the conversion to renewable fuels and the development of fuel demand in road transport in the European Union for the target years 2030, 2035 and 2040."

The full study can be found as a pdf attached to this press release.

Munich. With the Neue Klasse, BMW is taking bidirectional charging to the next level, making Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) accessible to all customers. V2G is launching now: The BMW Group and E.ON are continuing their long-standing strategic partnership and are taking the next step following the successful announcement of Germany’s first commercial Vehicle‑to‑Grid offer at IAA Mobility in September 2025. As of today, private customers can order the complete product package, consisting of the BMW Wallbox Professional, the V2G electricity tariff from E.ON (E.ON ÖkoStrom Home & Drive V2G together with the E.ON V2G Plus feed-in contract), and – if not already installed – an intelligent metering system (smart meter).

V2G for the Neue Klasse: Plug in and secure a 720 Euro bonus and charge up to 14,000 kilometres for free* - additional discount of 700 Euros on the BMW Wallbox Professional** for the first customers.

This offer enables BMW electric vehicles of the Neue Klasse equipped with the 6th generation BMW eDrive technology, starting with the new BMW iX3, to actively interact with the power grid by feeding energy from the vehicle’s high‑voltage battery back into the grid.

Automatic charging and discharging is managed by a jointly developed BMW E.ON algorithm. Customers benefit from every hour their vehicle is plugged in, receiving an annual bonus of up to 720 Euros. This allows BMW iX3 drivers to cover up to 14,000 kilometers per year at no charging cost**, while also contributing to the future of sustainable energy.

The My BMW App provides simple and transparent control. Customers maintain full oversight of current and target charge levels and can check their real-time bonus status with E.ON directly in the app. Intelligent protection functions ensure the high-voltage battery always remains within an optimal operating range.

Promotion: 700 Euro wallbox discount on the first orders**

The first 100 BMW iX3 customers who choose an E.ON V2G electricity tariff will receive a 700 Euro discount on the BMW Wallbox Professional.** With 11 kW charging power, it is one of the first bidirectional wallboxes on the market and offers additional intelligent charging modes.

V2G at a Glance

Tariff & Compensation model: The E.ON ÖkoStrom Home & Drive V2G tariff offers full price certainty thanks to a fixed energy price per kilowatt-hour and a fixed base fee for both household and charging electricity. Through the V2G feed-in contract, the customer’s bonus account accumulates up to 720 Euro annually** for every hour the vehicle is connected to the bidirectional wallbox and V2G is activated—regardless of whether energy is charged or discharged. Each kilowatt-hour discharged back to the grid is compensated at 40 Euro-Cent per kWh.

Customer-focused: Drivers maintain full control and can set their charging targets in the My BMW App to ensure mobility needs are always met. The bonus account with E.ON is linked to the app and can be viewed transparently at any time.

Battery protection: Intelligent safeguards ensure the high-voltage battery always operates within an optimal range.

Contribution to the Energy Future: Vehicle batteries help stabilize the energy system during periods of surplus electricity or increased demand. V2G supports the optimal use of renewable energy and reduces long-term energy-system costs.

Filip Thon, CEO of E.ON Germany: “The first commercial V2G offer in Germany marks a groundbreaking milestone, linking electromobility with the energy transition—and enabling private customers for the first time to tap into the potential of electric vehicles as flexible power storage for tomorrow’s energy world.”

Marcus Krieg, Head of New Business Models at BMW Group: “With the Neue Klasse, BMW vehicles become an active part of the energy ecosystem for the first time. Their technology enables intelligent storage and return of energy to the grid, reducing customer costs while strengthening the use of renewable energy.”

New: Alternative entry into energy‑market integration – cost‑optimized charging for all BMW and MINI electric drivers, incl. attractive E.ON tariff with charging bonus

The BMW Group now offers a solution for all customers wishing to charge their fully or partially electric BMW/MINI intelligently while reducing home‑charging costs.

The vehicle charges automatically at selected locations when electricity prices are especially low—taking planned departure times and target charge levels into account. This function is available for all electrified BMW and MINI models across all drive generations and can be used with the BMW/MINI Wallbox Plus, the Multifunction Charger (MFC), and any other AC‑charging device.

Customers only need an electricity tariff that supports BMW’s remote charging‑control functionality. Many compatible electricity providers offer this, including E.ON.

In this exclusive partnership offer, BMW and MINI customers in Germany using the E.ON ÖkoStrom Home & Drive tariff can save up to 240 Euros*** annually and receive an additional 50 Euros*** bonus on top of the existing new‑customer bonus.

Customer Benefits

•      Significant reduction in home charging costs

•      Consideration of individual mobility needs

•      Protection of vehicle components

•      Additional E.ON bonus of 50 Euros on top of the new‑customer bonus

More information:

www.eon.de/de/pk/landingpage/kooperationen/bmw-mini

List of compatible electricity providers:
Elektromobilität | BMW FAQ

More on V2G and the offer:
https://www.bmw.de/de/elektroauto/home-charging.html

https://www.eon.de/de/pk/e-mobility/bidi-laden-bmw-ix3.html

Bidirectional and flexible charging are key topics E.ON is showcasing at E‑World, Europe’s largest energy trade fair, taking place from February 10–12 in Essen.

*  With the E.ON V2G electricity tariff, customers receive a bonus based purely on the connection time of the BMW iX3 or other compatible BMW models to the BMW Wallbox Professional, provided that Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is activated as an application (regardless of actual charging/discharging processes).

The bonus amounts to 24 Euro cents per hour, with a maximum of 60 Euros per month/720 Euros per year possible, based on 250 hours of connection per month. Based on an average working price of 32.97 Euro cents/kWh, the bonus covers up to 2,184 kWh charged per year. Depending on the vehicle configuration of the  BMW iX3 50 xDrive, this covers approximately 12,000 km – approximately 14,000 km of annual mileage (WLTP)

– with driving consumption depending on configuration between 15.1 kWh/100 km – 17.9 kWh/100 km according to WLTP BMW iX3 50 xDrive. In addition to the bonus, there is a feed-in tariff for every kilowatt hour fed back  into the grid. The combination of V2G with a photovoltaic system is currently only supported for full feed-in systems.

** The promotion is valid for the BMW Wallbox Professional in conjunction with the E.ON ÖkoStrom Home & Drive V2G electricity tariff and the E.ON V2G Plus supplementary contract from our cooperation partner E.ON Energie Deutschland GmbH. There is no entitlement to the voucher if the electricity contract is revoked within the statutory period. After signing the contract and successful verification of the information, you will receive a voucher worth 700 Euros including VAT by post from E.ON Energie Deutschland GmbH on behalf of BMW AG. This can only be applied to the purchase price of the BMW Wallbox Professional in the e-mobilio GmbH web shop ( bmwgroup.e-mobilio.de ) and is redeemable until December 31, 2026. The promotion is only valid for private customers. Only valid while stocks last.

***The potential annual savings of up to 290 Euros result from a night-time charging bonus of 240 Euros (120 Euros each for app registration and night-time charging) and an additional new customer bonus of 50 Euros, which is exclusively available to BMW customers and is paid out with the annual statement.

Hams Hall, UK. BMW Group’s Hams Hall plant, located in the UK, has reached a major milestone: For exactly 25 years, the plant near Birmingham has produced highly efficient internal combustion engines for a variety of BMW Group vehicle models. More than 7.6 million engines have shipped from Hams Hall since 2001. The facility supplies numerous production sites worldwide with highly efficient petrol engines for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands, including drive trains for plug-in hybrid models – making the plant an integral part of the BMW Group’s technology-open approach. Today, Plant Hams Hall produces three and four-cylinder petrol engines to high performance V8 engines, powering vehicles across both BMW and MINI. Separately, the V12 engine is produced at Plant Hams Hall exclusively for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Its assembly follows a distinct, bespoke production process, carried out by specially trained engineers and technicians, before final delivery to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.

Plant Hams Hall – an integral part of the global production network

"This anniversary is a special milestone for our site," says Dirk Dreher, Head of the BMW Group's Hams Hall plant. "We are a competitive plant and there’s always been a real passion among our workforce to continually improve our manufacturing processes and site. Building on our strong foundation, we are looking forward to remaining a successful plant in the future."

“The Hams Hall plant is an integral part of our global production network,” explains Harald Gottsche, Head of Engine Production at BMW AG. “The site combines technological expertise with high flexibility. It reliably supplies our vehicle plants with efficient, powerful engines of premium quality. This includes the V12 engine – a masterpiece from Hams Hall!”

61% reduction in energy use per engine built since the start of full production

The British engine plant is systematically implementing the principles of the BMW iFACTORY. The strategic vision of the BMW iFACTORY focusses on sustainability, electrification, digitalisation and profitability. From the first concept of the plant to the present day, the Hams Hall team has made sustainability a key consideration. Since the first full year of production, the plant has made a 61% reduction in energy required per engine built, meaning the overall energy to operate the site has remained level even though there has been a considerable increase in production. The plant purchases 100% of its external electricity from renewable energy sources today. It has also worked to reduce its consumption of natural gas.

SpOTTO robotic dog scans and monitors manufacturing equipment

A four-legged autonomous robot named “SpOTTO” joined the Hams Hall team in 2024. The autonomous robotic dog scans the plant, supports maintenance and ensures production processes run smoothly. Equipped with visual, thermal and acoustic sensors, SpOTTO collects valuable data for the plant’s digital twin. It also serves as a watchdog, monitoring the maintenance of production facilities. SpOTTO was developed by Boston Dynamics under the product name “Spot”, an agile robot capable of climbing stairs and traversing rough terrain with ease. At Hams Hall, “Spot” was fondly renamed SpOTTO, paying tribute to the engine plant’s proud heritage: Gustav Otto, one of the founders of BMW, was the son of Nicolaus Otto, inventor of the four-stroke engine.

Fully connected digital twin: Big data on three levels

At the core of the Hams Hall plant’s digital transformation is the fully connected digital twin, which consists of three levels: On the first level, 3D representations of the entire plant are generated. The second level comprises a large data layer, continuously updated with all relevant information from the SpOTTO robotic dog, the plant’s manufacturing equipment and its IT systems. On the third level – the application level – dedicated programmes organise the collected data into comprehensible units. Using special apps, experts at Plant Hams Hall can leverage this information for tasks such as production planning and quality assurance.

A history of continuous growth

Over the past 25 years, BMW Group Plant Hams Hall has continuously evolved, establishing itself as a key pillar of the company’s production network. Relying on state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, it provides drive trains for numerous BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce models.

Selected historic milestones:

• 2001: Plant Hams Hall launches series production with new four-cylinder engines, using innovative Valvetronic technology in large-scale manufacturing for the first time.
• 2006: An additional engine family is introduced; Plant Hams Hall produces engines for the MINI brand for the first time.
• 2013: Plant Hams Hall becomes the exclusive manufacturer of the award-winning three-cylinder engine for the iconic BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. The plant also integrates additional production lines for three- and four-cylinder petrol engines. At the same time, the processing hall for crankshafts, crankcases and cylinder heads is expanded.
• 2022: The plant takes over production of V8 and V12 engines. With this step the plant generates even greater business value for the company.
• 2026: Plant Hams Hall celebrates 25 years of production.

The BMW Group’s drive train production network

The BMW Group’s engine production network comprises several plants alongside Hams Hall: Its largest engine facility is in Steyr, Austria, where diesel and petrol engines, as well as sixth-generation electric motors, are developed and produced. The fifth generation of electric motors is produced in Dingolfing. Plant Munich handles mechanical production of V8 and V12 engine components, while Plant Landshut manufactures special engines. The Chinese joint venture BMW Brilliance builds engines for the local market in Shenyang. Collectively, these locations support the BMW Group's technology-open powertrain strategy.

Munich/Salching. The new Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) in Salching in Lower Bavaria has now been officially commissioned – marking a major step forward in implementing innovative direct recycling as a joint project between the BMW Group and Encory GmbH. For construction and operation of the new Competence Center, the BMW Group and Encory are relying on regional partners.

Innovative direct recycling enables reuse of battery raw materials

Direct recycling allows residual materials from battery cell production, including complete battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled. The raw materials are not entirely reverted to their original state, but are instead “directly” fed back into the cell production cycle. This direct recycling methodology, developed by experts from the BMW Group, therefore eliminates the conventional, energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing previously required. At the new CRCC, direct recycling will be scaled up and introduced in stages until, once fully operational, the annual volume of battery cell material recycled will be in the mid-double-digit tonne range. Going forward, the recovered raw materials will be directly reused in pilot production of battery cells at the company’s own Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf.

Direct recycling: A process for the future

“Our direct recycling process puts us at the forefront of the industry,” explains Markus Fallböhmer, SVP of Battery Production at BMW AG. “This technology has tremendous potential to further optimise battery cell production.” It is also conceivable that, for the first time, cell manufacturers could be enabled to use direct recycling in series production.

Joint venture runs Competence Center – IP remains with BMW Group

An existing hall in Salching in Lower Bavaria (Straubing-Bogen district) will be used for the new Competence Center. In addition to the production area and warehouse space of around 2,100 m², the building also offers just under 350 m² of offices and break rooms, as well as photovoltaic systems on the roof. While the Competence Center will be built and operated by Encory GmbH, the intellectual property for the recycling method is fully owned by the BMW Group. As a joint venture between the BMW Group and the Interzero Group, Encory will develop and implement logistics and consulting solutions, including for recovery, recycling and reconditioning of vehicle components. Both partners hold a 50-percent stake in the company. The new Competence Center will employ about 20 people.

Strong partners from the region

With the exception of one Swiss company, only German firms were contracted for the construction and operation of the Competence Center. Nearly half of these companies are located within a 100-kilometer radius of Salching.

Optimal location for new Competence Center in Bavaria

The BMW Group consolidates its battery cell expertise at its Competence Centers in Munich, Parsdorf and Salching. The Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) in the north of Munich offers state-of-the-art labs and research facilities for developing the battery cells for next-generation high-voltage batteries and producing them in small quantities. The best battery cell from the BCCC will be scaled up for series processes on a pilot line at the Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf. Recycling of surplus material from pilot production in Parsdorf will take place at the new Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) in Salching. The recovered raw materials will then be reused in cell production, ensuring short distances between all Competence Centers and preventing valuable raw materials from being lost. Following on from the BCCC and CMCC, the CRCC thus represents the next step in the BMW Group’s battery cell strategy on the road to the circular economy.

Circular economy at the BMW Group

The BMW Group views the circular economy as one of the key issues in shaping more resource-efficient mobility. Its approach is aimed at finding the best ways to keep materials in the cycle – ensuring that resources are not lost, but retain their value for long-term use. The BMW Group applies the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use and Re:Cycle. From vehicle design and production, to recycling and reuse, everything is geared towards ensuring that vehicles can serve as a source of raw vehicles at the end of their use phase. The BMW Group is taking steps to increase the percentage of recycled materials. It returns selected production residues to the material supplier or material processor, enabling their recovery and reintroduction into a new manufacturing process. In this way, recycled and reused materials are already making their way into BMW Group vehicles today. The circular economy requires holistic thinking – from product design, all the way through to vehicle recycling. 

Munich. Since 2022, the BMW Group and Solid Power, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLDP) have intensified their activities for the development of all-solid-state battery (ASSB) technology through their technology transfer agreement. The latest milestone was the integration of Solid Power’s large-format pure ASSB cells into a BMW i7 technology test vehicle.

As of October 2025, Samsung SDI joins the efforts to pursue development and validation of the ASSB technology in the automotive field. The new collaboration marks a key step towards ASSB technology, bringing together the complementary expertise of three industry leaders.

Under this arrangement, Solid Power will supply sulfide-based solid electrolyte to Samsung SDI, which Samsung SDI will integrate into separator and/or catholyte and use to build cells, in each case subject to achievement of technical requirements.
These cells will be evaluated based on performance parameters and requirements to be agreed between Samsung SDI and BMW Group. Ultimately, Solid Power, Samsung SDI, and BMW aim to develop and supply ASSB cells for integration into a next generation of evaluation vehicles.

 “We are excited to partner with Samsung SDI and BMW to progress the development of all-solid-state batteries,” said John Van Scoter, President and CEO of Solid Power. “Our solid electrolyte technology is designed for stability and conductivity, and by working closely with global leaders in automotive and battery innovation, we strive to bring ASSB technology closer to widespread adoption.”

"Technological competitiveness in batteries would ultimately lead to innovation in electric vehicles," said Stella Joo-Young Go, Executive Vice President of ASSB Commercialization Team at Samsung SDI. "Samsung SDI will work closely with great global partners like BMW and Solid Power to take the lead in commercializing ASSB."

 
Martin Schuster, Vice President Battery Cell and Cell Module at the BMW Group, says: “With Samsung SDI joining our partnership with Solid Power, we gain significant momentum on our path advancing the development of new battery cell technologies. This global collaboration is another proof point of our overarching goal: to be always in a position to offer our customers state of the art battery technology.”

The partners believe in the potential of genuine ASSB technology, and the promise of higher energy density combined with increased safety compared to today’s technologies by replacing liquid electrolytes with solid materials.  

With increased energy density, longer vehicle ranges can be achieved without having to accept disadvantages in terms of weight of the overall storage system.

The BMW Group and Solid Power have been cooperating since 2016 through an extended “Joint Development Agreement,” which was supported by a BMW Group investment in Solid Power in May 2021 as part of a financing round.

At the end of 2022, BMW and Solid Power agreed to further deepen their partnership. BMW will operate a solid-state cell prototype line at the CMCC in Parsdorf, on the basis of a research and development license and with Solid Power's experience and expertise.

Since 2008, the BMW Group has been consistently building up its competence in the field of battery cell technology. Since 2019, this know-how has been pooled at the BMW Group's Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) in Munich. The BCCC covers the entire value chain, from research and development to battery cell design to producibility.

In order to be able to quickly and efficiently implement innovations in the field of battery cell technology, the BMW Group cooperates in a network of around 300 partners, including established companies, start-ups and universities, among others.

The BMW Group's battery strategy - to operate on equal footing with industry's leading cell manufacturers through deep know-how - has proven its worth. This strategically strong position in the value chain ensures the BMW Group access to all new and innovative battery cell research solutions worldwide.

Luxembourg / Munich. The BMW Group is using its presence at the "Fleet Europe Days" on 22 and 23 October in Luxembourg to show fleet operators ways to decarbonise their fleets. In addition to fully electrified vehicles, the focus will be on fuels based on renewable raw materials, so-called Carbon Neutral Fuels (CNF).

Their advantage: the potential to save CO₂. With more than 250 million existing vehicles in Europe, their CO₂ footprint can be improved if the proportion of renewable fuels is increased. A new technical solution used by the BMW Group is proof that all BMW diesels in a fleet are fuelled exclusively with HVO100. Refuelling data from the vehicle is compared with data from the fleet operator's payment system. This means that the fuel used by the vehicle can be traced seamlessly. An important step towards a "CNF only-fleet" for fleet customers.

Dr. Martin Kaufmann, Head of Powertrain Development at the BMW Group: "Our goal is always to have more environmentally friendly and efficient vehicles on the road. With the diesel replacement fuel HVO100, we have an opportunity to reduce the CO₂ footprint of vehicle fleets. Especially in the area of fuels that are not based on fossil fuels, we see a potential that we are ready to realise.”

Bernhard Kuhnt, Head of Sales Region Europe, BMW Group: "Fleet customers are extremely important for sales in Europe and at the same time diesel remains a very good powertrain technology for many fleets.

The use of HVO100 offers a way to quickly reduce CO₂ emissions that takes into account individual use cases - whether driving long distances or towing a trailer - and can thus help our fleet customers reduce their CO₂ footprint."

Initial contractual agreements with the operators of large BMW diesel fleets in Germany and Italy are imminent. These test fleets, together with the internal BMW Group fleet that has already been launched, will provide important data and findings for the further improvement of the technical solution.

HVO100 used in the first fuelling of all diesel produced in Germany

Since January 2025, all diesel models produced in Germany are being fuelled with HVO100 before delivery to dealers. This step underlines BMW's commitment to making decarbonisation possible and achievable today. The abbreviation HVO stands for 'Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil' and the suffix '100' indicates that it is filled with 100 per cent pure fuel.

 
"Neste MY Renewable Diesel™" HVO100 is used at the BMW Group plants in Munich, Dingolfing, Regensburg and Leipzig.

The fuel from Finnish manufacturer Neste enables a CO2e reduction of up to 90 per cent ("well to wheel") compared to fossil diesel. The initial filling at the plants before delivery to the BMW Group dealer organisation is five to eight litres, depending on the model.

For the BMW Group, technological openness is a top priority. "Options instead of bans" is its motto. The company continues to invest in a broad portfolio - from battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells to highly efficient combustion engines that can run on renewable fuels.

The BMW Group has long approved its vehicles for a variety of regenerative fuels: HVO according to EN15940 as well as B10 and eFuels according to EN590 for diesel engines. In addition, E20/25 and eFuels according to EN228 for petrol engines.

Regulatory framework conditions must catch up

Regulation must catch up. To accelerate the uptake of renewable fuels across the market, the BMW Group is calling for an ambitious implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), including national quotas that require at least a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from fuels, to be transposed into national law by 2025.

Dr. Thomas Becker, Head of Policy, External Relations and Sustainability at the BMW Group, says: "The BMW Group demands that every measure to reduce CO₂ emissions is taken into account at every stage of a vehicle's life cycle. This also includes the use of renewable fuels - especially for vehicles that primarily run on CO₂-neutral fuel (CNF). These must be formally recognised in EU fleet legislation. The fuels are available, what we need now is a pragmatic and quickly implementable regulation that enables companies to develop innovations and make them marketable."

Munich. BMW Charging and MINI Charging have partnered with Digital Charging Solutions GmbH (DCS) to present an innovative fleet application that greatly simplifies the monitoring and centralised billing of vehicle charging for companies.

This solution links the charging accounts of the fleet vehicles with a central company account. Charging for each driver is automatically invoiced and consolidated into one payment for the company. Fleet drivers can take advantage of the same features, tariffs and brand experiences as private customers.

The introduction of this new fleet solution from BMW Charging and MINI Charging marks another milestone in the electrification of corporate fleets. Specially designed for small and medium-sized companies with up to 50 electric vehicles, it provides an efficient and user-friendly charging solution – and features a central overview that shows all charging sessions and combines them into a single invoice. Businesses benefit from a solution with no setup costs that offers automatic reimbursement for fleet drivers. 

Implementing the fleet solution is quick and straightforward. First, fleet managers create a company account with CHARGE NOW to register their company. Then fleet drivers create a business customer account including a charging contract with BMW Charging or MINI Charging and activate the option for bill payment by the company. Finally, the fleet manager links the driver accounts to the company account, enabling centralized and automated billing. 

This solution optimises charging cost management for electric fleets, reduces the administrative workload and improves cost transparency.

Fleet managers benefit from consolidated invoicing for all charging sessions as well as a central dashboard for monitoring up to 50 vehicles from different brands.

Fleet drivers, meanwhile, enjoy a consistent user experience offering the same functions (e.g. Plug & Charge), tariffs and brand experiences provided for private customers – thanks to seamless integration in the vehicle and the My BMW App or MINI App.

Once activated, charging sessions are automatically paid by the company, without any need for private advance payments or manual refunds. 

The solution was launched in August of this year in eleven European markets: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. They were followed in September by Sweden, Norway, Poland, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Hungary and Finland. 

Further information can be found via the following link:
CHARGE NOW | Fleet Solution | United Kingdom 

Debrecen. With an impressive ceremony that artistically combined Hungarian culture and modern automotive production, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, today officially opened the BMW Group plant in Debrecen. The BMW Group’s newest and most innovative production site marks the beginning of a new era for the company. In late October, the new BMW iX3 will enter series production in the Hungarian university town of Debrecen as the first vehicle of the Neue Klasse. Plant Debrecen was planned virtually and realised in practice fully in line with the principles of the BMW iFACTORY, becoming the first BMW Group car plant to rely entirely on electricity from renewable energy during normal operation.

In addition to Oliver Zipse, high-ranking representatives from Hungarian politics, such as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Mayor of Debrecen, László Papp, as well as Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management for Production, Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management for Human Resources and Real Estate, and Hans-Peter Kemser, President and CEO BMW Manufacturing Hungary Kft., attended the grand opening.

“In our global production network, our new plant in Debrecen is a pioneer: It is our first fully-electric plant, the first production site to operate entirely without fossil fuels – and the first to build vehicles for the Neue Klasse. This makes our plant in Debrecen a decisive factor in the BMW Group's future success,” said Oliver Zipse. “The opening also sends a strong signal: We are expanding our footprint on our home continent and reaffirming our commitment to Europe as a strong and competitive location for industry.”

Hans-Peter Kemser added at the ceremony: “This is not only a new BMW Group plant – it is a cornerstone of progress. We are a partner to culture, to education and to the University of Debrecen, where together we foster the talents that will shape the future. And above all, it is a community – deeply embedded in the life of Debrecen and Hungary.”

Strengthening the industrial base and expanding training

The official opening ceremony began with a look back at the plant’s construction, following a 2018 decision that launched one of Hungary’s largest greenfield investments. The BMW Group’s first Central European location has firmly placed Debrecen on the region's automotive map, creating more than 2,000 direct jobs – and many more along the supply chain, at regional suppliers and service providers that have recently established themselves in Debrecen, alongside national and international companies. The new plant has also strengthened the industrial park and driven additional investment in transport and infrastructure.

At the same time, through collaborations with institutions such as the local university and the Vocational Training Centre of Debrecen, DSZC, Plant Debrecen has also become one of the largest training hubs for dual education programmes in Hungary.

Only the best of the best for Debrecen

Plant Debrecen is the first BMW Group production site not tied to a specific primary plant. Instead, it serves as a network plant, combining best practices from different locations worldwide. For example, the press shop is modelled on the systems used in Spartanburg (USA) and Swindon (Great Britain), with their know-how and technologies further refined for Debrecen. In the body shop, the positioning of nearly 1,000 industrial robots, along with their processes, was digitally simulated in detail beforehand. The number of joining methods was also significantly reduced, with further streamlining allowing design features for the Neue Klasse to be integrated early in development.

Paint shop key to largest reduction in CO₂e emissions

At BMW Group Plant Debrecen, the paint shop plays a critical role in significantly reducing the BMW iX3’s CO₂e footprint. Production of the new BMW iX3 will generate a total of about 80kg CO₂e (scope 1/2 emissions). This figure covers CO₂e emissions from Plant Debrecen, as well as in-house parts production at other BMW Group facilities, including components manufactured in Landshut, for example. This represents a reduction of approx. two-thirds compared to production of existing BMW derivatives. For Plant Debrecen alone, this approach will reduce CO₂e emissions from the manufacture of a vehicle, including its high-voltage battery, by around 90% – to about 34 kg CO₂e (when operating at full capacity, compared with other BMW Group facilities).

About a quarter of the plant's annual power needs will be supplied by the 50‑hectare on-site photovoltaic system, one of the largest in Hungary. Surplus solar energy, such as that generated on non-working days, is stored in a 1,800 m³ thermal storage system with a capacity of 130 MWh.

Digitalised assembly processes and smart “finger structure”

Complete digitalisation of production processes further boosts assembly efficiency – for example, sensors and camera systems along the production line are used to automate quality processes. AI evaluates the data and provides real-time feedback to employees on the assembly line. The building's “finger structure” – an optimised version of BMW Group Plant Leipzig – allows 80% of parts to be delivered directly to the correct point of assembly on the line. In-house logistics are fully electric.

High-voltage battery assembly in line with “local for local” principle

High-voltage batteries are assembled directly on site, allowing for short distances in line with the “local for local” principle. Plant Debrecen will be the first of five plants worldwide to begin series production of Gen6 high-voltage batteries at this location. Seamless in-line quality inspections and 100% end‑of‑line monitoring enable a consistent zero-defect approach.

Final photo with employees and two BMW iX3s

The opening ceremony concluded with a music and dance performance celebrating Hungarian culture and traditions, which the BMW Group also supports through local events and organisations. To wrap up, numerous employees joined Viktor Orbán and Oliver Zipse on stage, alongside two new BMW iX3s.

Munich. The BMW Group is launching a vehicle with five different drivetrain technologies. The new BMW X5 will be the first model to offer customers a choice of battery electric, plug-in hybrid, petrol, diesel, and hydrogen fuel cell technology. The HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative is designed to promote the development of hydrogen ecosystems and refueling stations in metropolitan areas and aims for an initial pilot implementation in Germany.

“By launching the new BMW X5 with a choice of five drive system variants, we are once again demonstrating our leading position as a technology pioneer,” says Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development at an BMW event in New York. “Hydrogen has an essential part to play in global decarbonisation, which is why we are committed to driving the technology forward.”

Technology-open approach is a strategic success factor

Product diversity continues to be a key success factor for the BMW Group. A wide-ranging portfolio of drive systems – encompassing ICE engines, plug-in hybrids, battery electric drive systems and, starting with the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen in 2028, hydrogen fuel cell technology – lays the foundations for successfully meeting the varying demands and needs of customers worldwide both now and in the future.

Flexible manufacturing structures and high levels of integration expertise enable this array of drive technologies to be implemented efficiently in the new BMW X5 range in terms of development, purchasing and production. This means the BMW model line-up will include two types of fully electric drivetrain (battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell) from 2028, underlining the rigorous application of the brand’s technology-open approach.

The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen

Following successful testing of the pilot fleet worldwide, the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen* will enter the market as the brand’s first-ever series-produced hydrogen-powered model. “The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be a true BMW - pioneering in its class and delivering the BMW typical driving pleasure,” says Michael Rath, Vice President Hydrogen Vehicles BMW Group. 

The drive technology is based on the third-generation fuel cell system that the BMW Group is developing in collaboration with the Toyota Motor Corporation.This technological advance paves the way for a system with a more compact design that is also more powerful and efficient, thereby increasing range and output at the same time as reducing energy consumption. The company’s competence centres in Munich and in the BMW Group Plant Steyr are already building first prototypes. Further drive system components will come from the BMW Group plant in Landshut.

Benefits of hydrogen-powered technology

Hydrogen is recognized as a promising future energy carrier for global decarbonization. It acts as an effective storage medium for renewable energy sources, helping to balance supply and demand and enabling a more stable and reliable integration of renewables into the energy grid. Hydrogen is the missing piece for completing the electric mobility puzzle where battery electric drive systems are not an optimal solution.

HyMoS initiative: alliance for strengthening the hydrogen infrastructure

As well as developing the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen, BMW is also actively involved in efforts to expand the hydrogen refueling network. The HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative was established to support hydrogen ecosystems for mobility in cooperation with industry and institutional partners. The aim of this initiative is to increase the economic viability of hydrogen mobility ecosystems by pooling the demand for all types of vehicles, including trucks, buses and passenger cars. This will help to reach an optimal distribution and usage of hydrogen stations. The initiative supports existing hydrogen ecosystem projects in achieving their full potential by sharing experiences across projects and providing ground support of its industry partners. A pilot phase started with the support of existing ecosystems in Germany and France to gather experiences for deployment to further metropolitan areas and a potential later expansion to other countries.

Munich.  As part of their long-standing strategic partnership, BMW Group and E.ON are launching Germany’s first commercial Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) solution for private customers.

Thanks to bidirectional charging, the BMW iX3 becomes an active participant in the energy market—able not only to consume electricity but also to feed energy back into the grid when needed. This groundbreaking offering represents a major technological and market milestone, seamlessly integrating electromobility with the energy transition. For the first time in Germany, electric vehicles can be used as flexible energy storage units in everyday life. 

Charge for free, support the energy system:  How the new V2G solutions works

The new Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) solutions enables customers to benefit from bidirectional charging: the high-voltage battery of their BMW iX3 can flexibly supply energy back to the grid via the BMW Wallbox Professional. Intelligent energy management is provided in collaboration with E.ON, supported by a specially designed V2G electricity tariff that facilitates the flow of energy in both directions.

The underlying software was jointly developed by BMW Group and E.ON. The service is not only user-friendly but also financially attractive: customers who make their vehicle battery available for smart charging and discharging can earn an annual bonus of up to €720. This enables them to drive up to 14,000 kilometers per year at no charging cost while actively supporting the energy transition.

Marc Spieker, Member of the Board of Management of E.ON SE, Commercial: “What our customers need is a reliably charged vehicle—simple, convenient, and at attractive costs. That’s exactly what we provide, and more. Together with BMW, E.ON is bringing Vehicle-to-Grid directly to the people. Neue Klasse meets new energy! This is how we unlock the potential of the vehicle for each individual’s personal energy future. We combine charging convenience with tangible economic benefits. And, as a bonus, every connected vehicle can help lower the overall costs of the energy system—for the benefit of all.”

Dr. Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development: „With the Neue Klasse, BMW makes the car an active part of the energy system, creating tangible customer value. Vehicle-to-Grid reduces the mobility costs of the customer through new revenue opportunities – while driving the future of electric mobility.”

Driving flexibility in the energy system with vehicle-to-grid

The new V2G offering marks a milestone in coupling the energy sectors of mobility and electricity: the vehicle becomes an integral part of a virtual storage system that can better integrate renewable energies and thus support the energy system.

Overview of the benefits:

• Simple, fair, and transparent: With every hour plugged in, the bonus account is credited and can be viewed at any time. There is no minimum connection time. Every minute the BMW iX3 is connected counts, and additionally, the energy fed back into the grid is fairly compensated.
• Customer-centric: Customers retain full control and can set their charging goals to ensure their mobility needs are always met.
• No impairment of battery lifetime: Intelligent functions ensure that the high-voltage battery is always kept at an optimum level for its lifetime.
• Contribution to the energy transformation: The high-voltage batteries of the vehicles support the energy system during periods of surplus power or generation shortfalls. V2G promotes the use of renewable energies and reduces the long-term costs of the energy system.

Market launch and further strategic development

The technology for bidirectional charging will first be available on the market with the BMW iX3 and will gradually be introduced across additional BMW model ranges, thereby contributing to the scaling of V2G and its benefits for customers.

In the long term, the product is planned to be integrated into a comprehensive energy platform that intelligently connects charging infrastructure, photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, and smart home systems. The strategic partnership between BMW and E.ON lays the foundation for such an open, interoperable, and customer-centric ecosystem.

* This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by E.ON Group Management and other information currently available to E.ON. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. E.ON SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update  these forward-looking statements or to align them to future events or developments.

In the event of enquiries please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Bernhard Ederer

Communication Drive Technology, Driving Experience, Efficient Dynamics

Mobile: +49-176-601-28556

E-mail: Bernhard.Ederer@bmwgroup.com

Almut Stollberg

Head of Communication Innovation, Design, Technology, Digital Car

Mobile: +49-151-601-96543

E-mail: almut.stollberg@bmw.de

Munich. BMW Group Plant Steyr is getting ready for series production of fuel cell systems. The third generation of the BMW Group’s hydrogen drive system will be manufactured in Steyr from 2028, and the company’s competence centres in Munich and Steyr are already building the first prototypes. Further drive system components will come from the technology hub in Landshut.

“The launch of the first-ever fuel cell production model from BMW in 2028 will add another exceptionally efficient high-performance drive system with zero emissions to our technology-open product portfolio,” says Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development. “The choice of Steyr as the production location clearly demonstrates our commitment to a European innovation footprint. The BMW competence centres in Munich and Steyr have a key role to play in the development of pioneering fuel cell systems.”  

The third-generation BMW fuel cell system: more compact, more powerful, more efficient 

The first generation of the fuel cell drive system was supplied entirely by the Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and was fitted in the BMW 535iA back in 2014. The second generation made its debut in the current BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet. This time, BMW developed the overall fuel cell system itself, while the individual fuel cells came from Toyota. 

For the new generation, the BMW Group and the Toyota Motor Corporation jointly develop the powertrain system for passenger vehicles, with the core fuel cell technology creating synergies for both commercial and passenger vehicle applications. This close collaboration enables both companies to leverage synergies in development and procurement while creating brand-specific models.

The third generation of fuel cell technology brings some major improvements:

• Compact design: The space taken up by the fuel cell system has been reduced by around 25%. A considerable increase in power density has enabled a much more compact construction compared to the preceding generation.  
• High degree of integration: The third generation can be seamlessly integrated into future vehicle architectures. This paves the way for a technology-open approach that will make it possible to offer customers a variety of drive system variants in future. 
• Optimised components and increased efficiency: The system is set to be substantially more efficient than its predecessor. This is being achieved by upgrading individual component parts that are based on the drive technology jointly developed with Toyota and by improved operating strategies. These advances result in increased range and output combined with lower energy consumption, which represents a significant improvement over the second generation. 

Technological expertise at the BMW Group in Munich

The BMW Group is making prototypes of the highly efficient fuel cell systems at the company’s competence centre for hydrogen in Munich. An electrochemical reaction takes place in the fuel cell, which involves hydrogen from the tanks reacting with oxygen from the air. This reaction produces electricity that powers the electric motor and thereby supplies the vehicle with energy. 

The fuel cell system comprises not only the fuel cells themselves, but also all the components and systems needed for their efficient operation. These include the cooling system and hydrogen- and air subsystems. The compact layout ensures the entire drivetrain delivers the levels of performance and safety for which BMW is renowned. 

Prototype production is currently focused on development and validation of the assembly and testing processes, with particular attention paid to industrialisation, quality assurance and scalability in the longer term. In parallel to this, the prototypes are being used to develop operating strategy and for validation on both a system and vehicle level. These steps are crucial in preparing fuel cell technology for series production. 

Series production at BMW Group Plant Steyr

Production of the fuel cell systems is due to get underway in 2028 at BMW Group Plant Steyr, which can call on decades of development and production expertise covering all drive system types across the BMW Group model range. New test rigs and production facilities are now being built and buildings modified to incorporate the new drive technology and constantly refine it. 

“We are proud to be producing another innovative drive technology at Plant Steyr in future alongside the latest generation of electric motors and combustion engines,” says Klaus von Moltke, Senior Vice President Engine Production at BMW AG and Director of BMW Group Plant Steyr. “This, together with the development expertise we have available on-site, makes our plant a prime example of the BMW Group’s technology-open approach.” 

Component manufacture at BMW Group Plant Landshut

BMW Group Plant Landshut is responsible for manufacturing key components for the fuel cell vehicles. Construction of new hardware and equipment for series production of the hydrogen-specific BMW Energy Master will start there in late May 2026. The BMW Energy Master controls the supply of power in the vehicle across a range from 400 – 800V. It also acts as the interface for data from the high-voltage battery. This control unit is supplemented by various components that are specifically required for the fuel cell application. Production of the first prototypes of the hydrogen-specific Energy Master will begin in mid-2026 just a few miles away at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, where the prototypes of the BMW Energy Master for the Neue Klasse models were also made.  

As with the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet, Plant Landshut will once again manufacture the housing and pressure plate for the next model generation. 

Munich. The high-voltage battery is a vital component of every electric vehicle. With the high-voltage batteries for the sixth generation (Gen6) of BMW eDrive, the BMW Group has made a big step in technology, delivering major improvements in energy density, charging speed and range. In readiness for series production, the BMW Group is currently building five assembly sites across three continents: in Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Lower Bavaria), Debrecen (Hungary), Shenyang (China), San Luis Potosí (Mexico) and Woodruff (USA). Before the series launch, production processes will be developed and tested at the BMW Group’s pilot plants for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf and Hallbergmoos, and at the Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich. As a data scientist and IT project manager, Patrick Zimmermann is responsible for implementing the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and data analytics in the high-voltage battery production of the BMW Group. His role is to weave all relevant software strands together.

Patrick, what do you do as a data scientist and IT project manager in high-voltage battery production?

Patrick Zimmermann (PZ): I coordinate an interdisciplinary team that oversees the entire data processing chain: from data provision at the manufacturing facilities to edge applications that transfer our production data to the cloud and to analytics platforms.

What kind of expertise do you need for that?

PZ: First and foremost, the job requires a solid understanding of the technologies used to manufacture our high-voltage batteries. For this latest generation, which uses the new cylindrical round cells, we’ve developed a completely new production process. Of course, strong IT knowledge is also essential – with a clear focus on the software architectures behind the data analytics and artificial intelligence. Understanding the individual software modules and interfaces is crucial for choosing the right solutions for our production from the wide range of technologies and applications available.

This means you always have your finger on the pulse and can anticipate IT trends?

PZ: Data analytics and AI for production are evolving at a tremendous pace right now. That's why it’s important to keep an eye on new approaches and evaluate whether they’re suitable for BMW. Or whether they could even replace existing solutions – perhaps by offering lower costs or enhanced features. Not every analysis or AI solution that performs well in a particular industry or use case can be directly applied to battery production.

Production of Gen6 high-voltage batteries is groundbreaking for the BMW Group. What, in your opinion, makes this project unique?

PZ: One unique aspect is the end-to-end responsibility – from data provision and data transfer to the cloud, all the way through to selective and even continuous analyses. We process both numerical data and visual representations from the equipment. Throughout the process, we maintain a consistent zero-defect approach to producing our high-voltage batteries. Highly intelligent, AI-supported quality checks are integrated into the production process to help us achieve this. We rely on OPC UA interface technology for plant connectivity. This enables us to model standardised digital twins directly at our plants, eliminating the need for additional data processing. Data is transferred to the BMW Group's clouds, using the same data structure across all production sites. This allows us to roll out standardised analysis dashboards worldwide and, for example, implement process optimisations more rapidly. We’ve already established this IT architecture at our high-voltage battery pilot plants. We have now been able to transfer our analysis dashboards to the first series production plants with minimal effort.

Entire new plants and assembly halls are being built for production of the new Gen6 high-voltage batteries. Is this beneficial for the IT structure?

PZ: Absolutely! Building several plants for Gen6 high-voltage batteries on greenfield sites gives us a whole new level of design freedom. This allows for much bigger leaps in IT, compared to integrating new solutions into existing plants – a so-called brownfield. I, for one, find it really exciting to help shape the Industrial Internet of Things and data analytics on such a large scale right from the start.

Munich/Steyr (Austria). The BMW Group Plant Steyr today began series production of the e-engine for the Neue Klasse. “Today, we are laying the foundations for the future of the BMW Group,” explained Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. “As the first production site for the Gen6 electric engine, Plant Steyr is central to the Neue Klasse and the continued development of our global production network.” The electric engine for the sixth generation of BMW eDrive (Gen6) is the first fully-electric drive train to be produced at the Steyr location in Austria. From there, it will be shipped throughout the production network, providing the drive train for the Neue Klasse. “Three years ago, we announced that we would build this electric engine in Steyr. Today, we are proud to deliver it,” said Klaus von Moltke, SVP of Engine Production for BMW AG and plant director of the Steyr facility. “What we are launching here today is more than just a production ramp-up. It is a firm commitment to Europe, to technology and to the future.”

Technology openness: Plant Steyr as centre of drive train expertise

Between the project launch in 2022 and 2030, the BMW Group is investing over one billion euros in expanding development and production expertise for e-drives at the Steyr location. This capacity expansion will ensure the plant remains the BMW Group's leading location for drive trains. For over 40 years, the plant has developed and manufactured internal combustion engines for the BMW and MINI brands. This extensive experience and wealth of expertise in drive trains make the engine plant the ideal facility to produce the Gen6 electric engines. The site will continue to manufacture diesel and petrol engines in parallel. “Technology openness is our strength – it gives us the necessary flexibility to secure long-term jobs,” said von Moltke. Around 1,000 employees will work in the new electric engine assembly. Depending on global demand, half of the Steyr location’s total workforce could be employed in e-mobility by 2030. von Moltke: “Steyr will remain the heart of our drive train expertise – both for combustion engines and electromobility.”

Powertrain components produced in Steyr, aluminium housings from Landshut

Rotor, stator, transmission and inverter – all core components of the innovative, highly integrated e-drive – will be manufactured at Plant Steyr. The housing for the electric engine will be cast at Plant Landshut's aluminium foundry and further processed in Steyr. The inverter will be produced in a new in-house clean-room environment, marking the Austrian engine manufacturer’s entry into the field of electrical engineering. E-drive components from Steyr will be assembled on two new lines. The overall production concept for the Gen6 e-drive follows the principle of a modular system, making it possible to produce different highly flexible electric drive train derivatives for the entire range of Neue Klasse models. The modular concept generates positive economies of scale and cost savings in both development and production. It also improves the scalability of production volumes and keeps production, supply networks and procurement highly flexible.

Comprehensive improvements to electric engine

The electric engine has undergone significant further development for Gen6: The rotor, stator and inverter have all been holistically designed for the Gen6 technology’s new 800-volt architecture, maximising performance capabilities and the efficiency of the drive system. In the inverter, 800-volt technology and silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor technology are now being used to boost efficiency. Fully integrated into the electric engine housing, the inverter converts direct current from the high-voltage battery into alternating current for the electric engine.

Lower weight, costs and energy loss lead to greater vehicle efficiency

Overall, the intelligent use of new technologies in the e-drive and systematic further development of existing systems produce remarkable results. Comparing the future BMW iX3 50 xDrive with a Gen5 xDrive model shows the following improvements in the electric engine: “Energy loss is reduced by 40 percent, costs by 20 percent and weight by 10 percent. All this makes a significant contribution to the approximately 20-percent increase in overall vehicle efficiency”, explains Martin Kaufmann, SVP of global Powertrain Development at BMW AG. The efficient design of the powertrain together with the high energy content of the high-voltage battery, enable a range of up to 800 km (WLTP) in the BMW iX3 50 xDrive, the first model of the Neue Klasse.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Christian Marxt
Spokesperson Production Network Powertrain and High-Voltage Batteries
Cell phone: +49-151-601-79158
Email: Christian.Marxt@bmwgroup.com

Sandra Schillmöller
Head of Communications Production Network BMW Group
Cell phone: +49-151-601-12225
Email: Sandra.Schillmoeller@bmwgroup.com

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

Munich/Parsdorf. With the Neue Klasse, the BMW Group is ushering in a new era of pure electric driving, starting series production end of 2025. The high-voltage battery is a key component in any electric vehicle. Before large-scale series production can begin, manufacturing processes must be developed and pre-series batteries put through their paces. This takes place at the BMW Group’s pilot plants for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf and Hallbergmoos and at the Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich. “Our pilot plants for high-voltage batteries are strengthening Germany’s capacity for innovation,” says Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. “They are laying the groundwork for the new series plants worldwide, ensuring a smooth ramp-up of high-voltage battery production.” To produce high-voltage batteries for the sixth generation of BMW eDrive (Gen6), the company is establishing five assembly sites across three continents: in Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Lower Bavaria), Debrecen (Hungary), Shenyang (China), San Luis Potosí (Mexico) and Woodruff (USA).

Quality is key: Consistent zero-defect approach
For the in-house developed Gen6 high-voltage battery, the BMW Group is implementing intelligent, state-of-the-art production processes using the latest technologies. “For production of our high-voltage batteries, we are pursuing a consistent zero-defect approach,” explains Markus Fallböhmer, head of Battery Production at BMW AG. “Highly intelligent, AI-supported quality checks are integrated into the production process to help us achieve this.” Because quality is key: In bodies for the Neue Klasse, the high-voltage battery serves as a structural component (“pack to open body”). The new cylindrical round cells are integrated directly into the high-voltage battery (“cell to pack”). With its innovative production processes, BMW Group’s pilot and series plants are setting new industry standards for battery production. Examples include, among the consistent zero-defect approach, the use of digital production twins for tasks such as employee training, as well as leveraging expanded AI databases to optimise supply and production logistics. All production steps undergo seamless in-line monitoring with comprehensive data storage, enabling maximum process stability and continuous data-based optimisation.

Pilot plants up close: Parsdorf, Hallbergmoos and Munich (FIZ)
The largest pilot plant for Gen6 high-voltage batteries is located in Parsdorf, where over 350 employees have been building initial prototypes since 2023. Since mid-2024, some of the high-voltage batteries produced there have already been delivered to the vehicle plant in Debrecen, Hungary, where they are installed in test vehicles for the Neue Klasse. A pre-series plant for high-voltage batteries is also located near Munich Airport. Since summer 2024, the site in Hallbergmoos has been developing manufacturing technologies for high-voltage battery assembly. Around 200 employees are working at this small-scale battery factory. The Hallbergmoos site serves as a model for the series production at Plant Woodruff near Spartanburg, South Carolina, US. At the Munich Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ), another 200 employees are manufacturing and testing prototypes and smaller module variants of the high-voltage battery. Several floors of the recently opened Aeroacoustics and E-drive Centre (AEZ) are dedicated to this work.

Series launch of five battery plants in under two years
The systems and processes developed at the Bavarian pilot plants will be rolled out to the series plants worldwide. Within less than two years, series production will ramp up at five locations across three continents. In line with its "local-for-local" principle, the BMW Group has positioned its Gen6 high-voltage battery assembly sites as close as possible to its vehicle plants. This approach safeguards production, even in the event of unforeseen political and economic developments. It will also strengthen existing production sites, while preserving and creating jobs. Series production of the BMW iX3, the first model of the Neue Klasse, will get underway at Plant Debrecen late this year, alongside high-voltage battery manufacturing at the same site. The launch in Debrecen will be followed by the battery assembly plants in Shenyang, Irlbach-Straßkirchen, Woodruff and San Luis Potosí.

How the BMW Group builds Gen6 high-voltage batteries
The BMW Group sources battery cells for its high-voltage batteries from leading cell manufacturers, who produce the cells to the company's specifications. The highest technical standards apply. Upon receipt of goods, additional measurements – such as voltage checks – are carried out. Next comes cell clustering, where the battery cells are connected to coolants. This step ensures optimal insulation and cooling of the cells. The cell clusters and cell contact system are then laser-cleaned and welded with pinpoint precision. The in-line inspection continuously monitors each weld seam in real time. An innovative foaming process follows, ensuring that all elements are protected as a mechanical unit. The foam thus guarantees the safety, stability and durability of the high-voltage battery. The housing is then closed, sealed and riveted. In the final assembly step, the Energy Master – the central control unit – is installed onto the high-voltage battery. A permanently elastic sealing adhesive is applied to ensure a reliable seal. Finally, each high-voltage battery undergoes a 100% end-of-line inspection to ensure quality, safety and function.


If you have any questions, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Christian Marxt
Press spokesperson, Production Network, Powertrain and High-Voltage Batteries
Cell phone: +49-151-601-79158
Email: Christian.Marxt@bmwgroup.com

Sandra Schillmöller
Head of Communications Production Network BMW Group
Cell phone: +49-151-601-12225
Email: Sandra.Schillmoeller@bmwgroup.com

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

The BMW Group is bringing large-format, pure ASSB cells from Solid Power to its test vehicle, a BMW i7, which is being operated in the Munich area. The potential benefits of ASSB technology: higher energy density in a very compact storage system compared to current technologies.

Since 2022, the BMW Group and Solid Power, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLDP) have intensified their activities for the development of all-solid-state battery (ASSB) technology through their technology transfer agreement.

The BMW Group and Solid Power believe in the potential of genuine ASSB technology. With a higher energy density compared to current battery technologies, ASSB batteries have the potential to achieve longer ranges in vehicles without the disadvantages with regard to the weight of the overall storage system.

“Solid Power is extremely proud that our partnership with BMW has resulted in the first demonstration of truly all-solid-state battery cells in a vehicle,” said John Van Scoter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Solid Power.  “We believe in the promise of ASSB’s and continue to drive innovation of our sulfide electrolyte in support of that future for EV’s.”

Martin Schuster, Vice President Battery Cell and Cell Module at the BMW Group, says: “Our BMW i7 ASSB test vehicle on the road is a perfect example of the BMW Group's technology-open mindset. We are continuously advancing the development of new battery cell technologies and are constantly expanding our know-how with valuable partners such as Solid Power. ”

The concept battery integrated in the BMW i7 test vehicle combines proven Gen5 construction principles (prismatic cells in modules) with new, innovative module concepts for integrating ASSB cells from Solid Power.

The management of cell expansion will be investigated here. In addition: How is the operating pressure controlled and how to adjust the temperature conditions.

The use of solid power cells with sulfide-based electrolytes and their complete integration into a battery pack will provide the BMW Group with further important findings in the test program over the coming months.

The innovative cells were developed and manufactured by Solid Power in collaboration with experts from the BMW Group. Further development steps are required to implement ASSB technology in a competitive overall storage system.

The BMW Group and Solid Power have been cooperating since 2016 through an extended “Joint Development Agreement”, which was supported by BMW Group's investment in Solid Power in May 2021 as part of a financing round.

At the end of 2022, BMW and Solid Power agreed to further deepen their partnership. BMW will operate a solid cell prototype line at the CMCC (Cell Manufacturing Competence Center) in Parsdorf on the basis of a research and development license and using the experience and expertise of Solid Power.

Since 2008, the BMW Group has been steadily expanding its expertise in the area of battery cell technology. Since 2019, this know-how has been bundled at the BMW Group's Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) in Munich. The BCCC covers the entire value chain, from research and development to battery cell design and production capability.

In order to be able to implement innovations in battery cell technology quickly and efficiently, the BMW Group cooperates in a network of around 300 partners, including established companies, start-ups and universities.

The cooperation with Solid Power underlines the BMW Group's battery strategy -to further develop innovative battery technologies on equal footing with leading partners in the industry. This strategically strong position in the value chain ensures the BMW Group access to all new and innovative battery cell research worldwide.

Munich. As it pulls back the curtain on a new era in 2025, fuelled by the all-electric Neue Klasse models, BMW is creating a holistic driving and user experience that breaks genuinely new ground. One of the elements of the far-reaching BMW Panoramic iDrive concept is the new HypersonX soundscape. Developed by the BMW Group Sound Design Studio, it comprises 43 sound signals and special driving sounds for Personal Mode and Sport Mode. The multi-dimensional spectrum adapts the sounds precisely to the driving situation at hand and, in so doing, creates an emotional interaction between the driver and their vehicle.

This new stage in the evolution of the automotive sound experience has been made possible by the technological advances in hardware and software brought by the Neue Klasse. The revolutionary BMW Operating System X and a newly developed control unit pave the way for an innovative audio architecture. This allows the overall experience offered by the Neue Klasse to be perfected at an acoustic level, as well as in terms of vehicle character, driving experience and functional range.

A new dimension in drive sounds: distinctive and precisely honed.

“The unique sound spectrum of HypersonX plays a major role in giving a Neue Klasse model its own, highly distinctive character acoustically. Through our focus on precision, warmth and lightness, we can create a direct emotional connection between the driver and their vehicle,” emphasises Renzo Vitale, Creative Director of Sound Design BMW Group. In both Personal Mode and Sport Mode, the drive sounds focus on the essentials and are inspired by tones from nature and structures from the worlds of art and science. HypersonX has fewer basic notes than the sound experience previously employed. But at the same time, the acoustic spectrum has grown to include a new dimensional level. This gives the sound more “colour”, depth and precision, and it embodies more than ever the pleasure of driving for which BMW is renowned.

One of the main elements underpinning this capability is the audio control unit developed for the Neue Klasse, which enables a significant expansion of the dynamic range.

Added to which, the spatial modulation of the drive sound achievable in the Neue Klasse ensures that the vehicle occupants are thoroughly immersed in the soundscape generated by HypersonX. Under acceleration, for example, the vehicle gives the impression of moving between different three-dimensional layers of sound, thus transporting the feeling of speed and BMW-typical driving dynamics authentically into the cabin.

Humanity is a central design element of the welcome sound.

As well as intelligent reduction to the essential elements, the human aspect played an important role in the development of the soundscape for the Neue Klasse. The middle and lower frequency ranges of the BMW HypersonX sound spectrum have been brought to the fore to create a well-balanced acoustic ambience. In conjunction with intuitive operation, precisely adjusted light effects and homely interior design, this gives those on board a fine sense of wellbeing.

A choir made up of BMW Group Design Studio employees brings voice – in their respective native languages – to moments of driving joy, infusing the welcome sound with a particularly empathetic flavour. Carefully isolated elements of these recordings enhance the overall composition of the welcome sound to excellent effect and treat the driver to moments of joy and human warmth.

BMW HypersonX gives the sounds for the Neue Klasse an expressive and distinctive, but also understated and sensitive feel. To this end, more than nine million sound instances based on BMW’s sound DNA were generated using a new algorithm. At the BMW Group Sound Design Studio, these were then filtered into a brand-typical essence that in turn generates a cohesive and multi-dimensional acoustic experience. The result is a sound that creates an emotional connection between human and vehicle in all driving situations and brings a positive, congenial and inviting aura to the acoustic presence of the Neue Klasse.

Munich/Landshut. The BMW Group is presenting its next leap forward in the field of electric drive technology – and in the process ushering in a new era of all-electric driving. At the Tech Days event in Landshut, the company has provided some initial insights into the development and production of high-voltage batteries and electric drive systems using the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology. Every fully electric Neue Klasse vehicle will enjoy the benefits. The first Neue Klasse model will go into series production later this year at Plant Debrecen in Hungary. Below is an overview of the technology highlights:

• The Energy Master intelligent central control unit on the high-voltage battery – developed by the BMW Group and produced at Plant Landshut.
• A new high-voltage battery concept that, together with the BMW cylindrical cell, promises to bring about a technological quantum leap – including significant improvements in energy density, charging speed and range.
• The BMW Group also demonstrates its technology-openness with electric drive systems – through the use of different electric motor types: EESM and ASM.
• A modular approach to electric motor production gives the BMW Group an exceptional degree of flexibility.
• The BMW Group pools together expertise from the entire electric mobility value chain in Bavaria and Austria – from development, via purchasing and production, to recycling.
• The BMW Group demonstrates both technology-openness and full expertise across all areas of electric mobility.

Adopting a technology-open approach while setting the pace in electric mobility

“For the BMW Group, electric mobility is the future and a key area of growth. We are leading the way with this drivetrain technology. At the same time, we are deliberately taking a technology-open approach, recognizing that mobility needs vary between different regions of the world,” explains Dr Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Purchasing and Supplier Network. “We want to offer our customers the best drive concept for every need. It is possible to do both: offer the best drive technology for every need and be at the forefront of electric mobility.”

Slimmer, faster, further: the high-voltage batteries for Gen6

With the new sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology (Gen6 for short), the BMW Group is making a technological quantum leap. Improvements on the product side include a 30% faster charging speed and 30% increase in range, with certain models achieving even higher figures. Added to which, the Gen6 high-voltage battery concept benefits from the new 800V technology. Gen6 will make its debut this year in the Neue Klasse and subsequently be used to drive models across the BMW Group’s fully electric product range. The concept for the Gen6 high-voltage batteries is fundamentally new and will find applications in all vehicle segments – right up to the high-performance models from BMW M GmbH. Its new, even slimmer design allows the high-voltage battery to be integrated into a spread of different models, regardless of vehicle height. The high-voltage battery takes on the role of a structural component in the bodies of the Neue Klasse models (“pack-to-open-body”), and the new cylindrical cells will be integrated directly into the high-voltage battery (“cell-to-pack”). The new BMW cylindrical cell has a 20% greater energy density than its predecessor, the Gen5 prismatic battery cell. And charging in both directions will be possible: the BMW Group has confirmed bidirectional charging as an option for Gen6.

Highly intelligent central control unit: the BMW Energy Master

All of the elements that enable this technological leap forward come together in the BMW Energy Master. This central control unit is positioned on the high-voltage battery and provides the interface for high- and low-voltage power supply and for data from the high-voltage battery. It also controls the power supply for the electric motor and vehicle electrical system and ensures the safe and intelligent operation of the high-voltage battery. The BMW Group has filed a whole series of new patent applications for the vehicle electrical system, including its electronic fuses. Both the hardware and software of the Energy Master were developed fully in-house at the BMW Group. This ensures technological developments and updates for vehicles can be implemented independently and in real time via Remote Software Upgrades, providing a particular benefit for customers.

“Local for local” approach for high-voltage battery assembly and supplier network

The high-voltage batteries for the Neue Klasse are assembled in five new production facilities that the BMW Group has located close to its vehicle plants as part of a “local for local” approach. For example, cutting-edge assembly locations for Gen6 high-voltage batteries are taking shape in Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Lower Bavaria), Debrecen (Hungary), Shenyang (China), San Luis Potosí (Mexico) and Woodruff, near Spartanburg (USA). This approach safeguards production even in the event of unforeseen political and economic events. In addition, the existing locations are being strengthened, with jobs both secured and created. The “local for local” principle continues in the supplier network for battery cells: in order to cover the demand for Gen6, the BMW Group has reached contractual agreements for five battery cell factories – spread across Europe, China and the USA – with various partners.

“Cell-to-pack” and “pack-to-open-body”

Production of the Gen6 high-voltage batteries follows the “cell-to-pack” and “pack-to-open-body” principles. “Cell-to-pack” involves positioning the cylindrical cells – manufactured by the suppliers according to BMW Group specifications – directly in the housing of the high-voltage battery, without the intermediate step of a module being produced. “Pack-to-open-body” refers to the high-voltage battery’s new role as a structural component in the vehicle architecture. Numerous innovations patented by the BMW Group can be found here.

Know-how from Bavaria and Austria – in demand around the world

Before series production of the high-voltage batteries gets underway worldwide, the production processes will be developed and pre-series batteries subjected to thorough testing. This will happen at the BMW Group pilot plants for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf, Hallbergmoos and Munich. The new series production plants around the world will then be ready. The product and process expertise is centred in Bavaria. Production of the Energy Master will take place at Plant Landshut, which will then supply all the high-voltage battery assembly plants around the world. There, the highly intelligent control unit will be installed on the high-voltage battery. The electric motor with sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology is produced at Plant Steyr in Austria, which is also home to a development centre for electric drive systems and thermal management.

Production of the Energy Master at BMW Group Plant Landshut  

A state-of-the-art production system for the BMW Energy Master is taking shape at Plant Landshut. The plant is currently producing the highly complex control unit in pre-series. Series production on the first production line will begin in August 2025, with a further expansion stage to follow in mid-2026. This is the first time the development and production of this central control unit has taken place in-house at the BMW Group. “As the company’s largest in-house component manufacturer, Landshut plays an important role for the Neue Klasse,” says Dr Joachim Post. “The plant is an innovation hub and a driver of transformation.” Around 200 people will be employed in the Energy Master production area at Landshut when production begins, rising to as many as 700 people as it ramps up further. The BMW Group has channelled investment in the high hundreds of millions of euros into the expansion of electric mobility at Plant Landshut since 2020, strengthening both the production facility itself and Germany’s status as an industrial powerhouse for the long term. The modular manufacturing system used to produce the Energy Master was also designed fully in-house by the BMW Group. It is supplied with subcomponents by a supply chain set up by the BMW Group. This extends to the n-tier supply chain for supply-critical components such as semiconductors. The benefits of this set-up can be seen in terms of both costs and supply security. The scalable production system enables the company to respond quickly and flexibly to market requirements. The high degree of automation, involving up to 400 robots in the final expansion stage, maximises efficiency. Comprehensive in-process monitoring, which includes the use of AI-based camera systems, and 100-per-cent end-of-line system checks in a clean-room environment ensure optimum quality.

Different recycling processes within the value chain

As electric mobility ramps up, there is an increasing focus on recycling of high-voltage batteries at the end of their lifecycle. Under a long-term partnership with SK tes – a leading provider of innovative technology lifecycle solutions – cobalt, nickel and lithium from end-of-life batteries are recovered from the BMW Group and integrated into the supply chain for the manufacture of new batteries. This closed-loop approach increases the efficiency and resilience of the BMW Group as part of a circular economy. The BMW Group will follow a similar path in the USA, Mexico and Canada up to 2026 with a separate partnership.

Innovative direct recycling at the BMW Group

The BMW Group is also exploring other recycling options in the value creation process. One example of this is the direct recycling method developed in-house. The BMW Group is working with its joint venture Encory to set up a competence centre for battery cell recycling in Lower Bavaria, where the company will put its direct recycling ideas into practice. This innovative process will enable residual materials from battery cell production and whole battery cells to be mechanically broken down into their valuable constituent components. The raw materials obtained in this way will be re-used directly in the pilot production process for battery cells at the company’s competence centres.

Technology-open approach for electric mobility: the new e-drive system of Gen6

The BMW Group has retained the principle of an electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) for its Gen6 power unit. On this type of synchronous motor, the magnetic field in the rotor is generated by windings fed with direct current rather than permanent magnets. In this way, the strength of the rotor’s magnetic field can be optimally adjusted to the prevailing load conditions. This results in both excellent levels of efficiency at customer-relevant operating points and constant power output at high rotational speeds. As with the Gen5 version, the synchronous motor will be positioned above the rear axle and feature a compact housing incorporating the electric drive unit, power electronics and transmission. Many of the motor’s technical details were created with the help of patented expertise, with the rotor alone accounting for more than ten patent applications.

Neue Klasse additionally incorporates ASM technology

The Gen6 powertrain employs a second, additional electric motor technology in the form of the asynchronous motor (ASM). Here, instead of being generated by permanent magnets (PSM) or electrical excitation (EESM), the rotor’s magnetic field is induced by the stator. On this type of motor, the rotor takes the form of a metal cage. The asynchronous motor offers the advantage of a more compact design and superior cost efficiency. The ASM motor variants will be fitted at the front axle of Neue Klasse cars with BMW xDrive.

Extensive improvements to EESM technology

Besides the addition of ASM technology, the EESM technology has also undergone a major upgrade for Gen6: rotor, stator and inverter have all been fully designed for the new 800V architecture of the Gen6 tech in order to maximise drive system performance and efficiency. This has been further helped by a complete redesign of the oil and water cooling systems. In addition to this, the experts from the BMW Group have also succeeded in improving the electric motor and central housing in terms of their weight and rigidity too. The transmission still uses a two-stage helical design, but has been further optimised by enhancements to its geometry and cooling, lower friction levels and more pleasant acoustics. The electrically excited synchronous motor’s “brain”, the inverter, now features 800V technology along with silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors to boost efficiency. The inverter is completely integrated into the electric motor’s housing. Its task is to convert the DC power supply from the high-voltage battery to AC for use in the electric motor. The inverter was developed in-house by the BMW Group and is produced at Plant Steyr in Austria.

Lower weight, costs and energy losses – greater efficiency in the vehicle

The results obtained from intelligently incorporating new technologies into the electric powertrain while consistently enhancing existing systems make impressive reading. When compared to a Gen5 xDrive model, a future Neue Klasse model complete with EESM and ASM technology boasts the following improvements: energy losses have been reduced by 40%, costs by 20% and weight by 10%. By combining different types of electric motor, the BMW Group’s technology-open approach is therefore clearly in evidence within the field of electric mobility. In future, customers will be able to choose from models equipped with one, two, three or four electric motors to suit their individual preferences and requirements. The sixth generation BMW eDrive technology is a significant factor in the gain in overall vehicle efficiency of around 20 per cent for the Neue Klasse. This figure is based on a comparison with the current generation of all-electric vehicles from the BMW Group.

Modular concept provides crucial advantage for manufacturing electric motors

The manufacturing concept for the Gen6 electric drive system uses the principle of modular building blocks. This forms the basis for highly flexible manufacturing of various electric drive variants across the entire Neue Klasse model range. The modular "building block” concept leads to positive economies of scale and cost savings in development and production. It also has the effect of improving the scalability of production volumes. The modular approach ensures a high degree of flexibility in production, the supply networks and procurement.

The Gen6 electric drive systems: made in Steyr

Series production of the Gen6 electric drive systems will commence at BMW Group Plant Steyr in summer 2025. Pre-production already got underway at the Austrian facility in September 2024. The pre-production motors are undergoing rigorous testing and some are already being fitted in Neue Klasse test vehicles from Plant Debrecen. By 2030, the BMW Group will have invested over one billion euros at the site since the project’s launch in 2022 to expand its development and production expertise for electric drive systems. Thanks to the increase in capacity, the plant will retain its status as the BMW Group’s leading facility for drive systems. The plant has been developing and building combustion engines for the BMW and MINI brands for over 40 years. Plant Steyr’s many years of experience and high level of expertise in the field of drive systems make it the ideal site for manufacturing the Gen6 electric motors. Diesel and petrol engines continue to be manufactured there alongside the electric motors. By 2030, around half of the on-site employees should be working in electric mobility – a vital step for safeguarding the more than 4,700 jobs at the plant in the long term. In future, all key components of the innovative, highly integrated electric drive unit – i.e. the rotor, stator, transmission, inverter and housing – will be produced at Steyr. This will include manufacturing the inverters in an in-house clean room environment for the first time, thereby taking the engine plant into the realm of electrical engineering. The electric drive components will be built on two new assembly lines at Steyr.

Thermal management: complex interaction, crucial for performance
Thermal management involves highly complex interaction between various systems in an electric vehicle and is of critical importance for a host of performance parameters, including range, real-world consumption, acceleration and charging time. Thermal management is a question of constantly keeping the temperature of the electric motor, power electronics and high-voltage battery in the optimum range, while maintaining standards of passenger comfort at the same time. Efficient thermal management is important for fast charging too. Here, the battery temperature must be kept within a defined window in order to make optimum use of the available charging capacity. Unlike combustion engines, electric motors give off little heat. This means that, depending on the operating state, the battery and the passenger cell have to be not only cooled, but heated too. The Steyr site develops the thermal management systems for all electric vehicles from the BMW Group. The plant’s development centre is also responsible for the brain at the heart of the electric motor – the inverter.

BMW Group Plant Landshut – a multi-talented component manufacturer

BMW Group Plant Landshut is the BMW Group’s largest component plant anywhere in the world, supplying components to all the company’s vehicle and drive system plants. Its workforce of around 3,700 employees produces a broad spectrum of cutting-edge components for vehicles from the BMW Group. Working closely with the BMW Group’s Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich, Plant Landshut plays a pivotal role as a hub of innovation for the automotive industry. It develops pioneering technologies and manufacturing processes that serve to maintain the company’s competitive edge. Over the course of the Neue Klasse project, the site is investing some €200 million in its light metal foundry to increase annual production capacity for the electric motor housings. The Injector Casting (ICA) process developed and patented in Landshut is a prime example of the plant’s innovative strength. This globally unique process is used to manufacture the electric motors’ highly complex aluminium housings that set new standards for lightweight design and functional integration.

In the event of enquiries please contact:

Corporate Communications

Christian Marxt

Spokesperson Production Network, Powertrain and High-voltage Batteries

Mobile: +49-151-601-79158

E-mail: Christian.Marxt@bmwgroup.com

Carolin Seidel

Spokesperson BMW Group Plant Landshut

Mobile: +49-151-601-90340

E-mail: Carolin.Seidel@bmwgroup.com

Florian Moser

Team Lead Purchasing and Supplier Network, Spokesperson Dr Joachim Post

Mobile: +49-151-601-62847

E-mail: Florian.Moser@bmwgroup.com

Bernhard Ederer

Spokesperson Drive Technology, Battery, Charging, Efficient Dynamics

Mobile: +49-176-601-28556

E-mail: Bernhard.Ederer@bmwgroup.com

Diana Schaidnagel

Spokesperson Sustainability

Mobile: +49-151-601-38407

E-mail: Diana.Schaidnagel@bmw.de

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

Munich/Las Vegas. The BMW Group presents the driving and user experience of the future at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas. BMW is providing the first opportunity to experience the close-to-production version of the new BMW iDrive – complete with its centrepiece, BMW Panoramic Vision – at the event. The software underpinning it all is the new BMW Operating System X, which acts as the intelligence hub behind the new display and operating concept. The holistic system, with its modern, style-shaping design, will be introduced in all new BMW models from the end of 2025.
“High tech meets highly intuitive operation – a quarter of a century of pioneering work and technological leadership in operating concepts has been channelled into the new BMW Panoramic iDrive,” says Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Development.
“The foundations are provided by the new BMW Operating System X. With this advance, we are giving one of the world’s best and most comprehensive infotainment systems even greater capability and once again setting the industry benchmark in multimodal interaction. Starting with the first series-produced Neue Klasse model at the end of this year, the new BMW Panoramic iDrive will form an integral part of all future BMW models.” 

Four elements, one goal: consistent driver focus in characteristic BMW style.
The new BMW iDrive merges four central elements into a unique display and operating concept.

• BMW Panoramic Vision – a Head-Up Display concept newly developed by BMW for projecting content – reflects visible information from A-pillar to A-pillar onto a black printed surface in the lower section of the windscreen. This information is visible to all occupants.
  The most important driving information is projected directly into the driver's line of sight on the left-hand side of the BMW Panoramic Vision (in left-hand-drive cars), above the steering wheel. The driver can personalise the content in the central and right-hand areas of the BMW Panoramic Vision via the central display. The integration of the BMW Panoramic Vision creates a 3D effect for the driver and passengers.
• The new and optional BMW 3D Head-Up Display above the BMW Panoramic Vision now shows integrated navigation and automated driving information directly in the driver’s field of vision. The content in the BMW Panoramic Vision and BMW 3D Head-Up Display is presented in a neatly coordinated way.
  The level of innovation achieved by the two Head-Up display technologies is underlined by several patent applications from the BMW Group resulting from the development of these projection technologies.
• On the central display with matrix backlight technology, the familiar, updated menu structure with QuickSelect ensures optimal operation of the functions and content by touch. Operation is very easy and convenient, as the free-cut-design display is located close to the steering wheel in an ergonomically ideal position. Selected content (widgets) can be carried over to the BMW Panoramic Vision with a swipe on the central display. As many as six widgets are possible and they can be arranged as desired in the BMW Panoramic Vision.
• The new multifunction steering wheel uses BMW’s shy-tech approach, whereby the relevant buttons are illuminated to highlight available functions. The steering wheel serves as the primary physical control, and its buttons provide active haptic feedback. The buttons have a well-judged, relief-like surface, which makes them extremely easy to locate and means the driver can press them without needing to divert their gaze away from the road.
  The arrangement of the buttons follows the familiar principle of driver assistance functions being positioned on the left-hand side of the steering wheel and content-controlling functions on the right-hand side.
  
  

The combination of these four elements re-interprets BMW’s customary “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road” approach, with which BMW sets the benchmark for driver focus and presents a unique form of intuitive, use-friendly and ergonomically optimised operation. The BMW Panoramic iDrive always gives the driver the right information in the right place and at the right time. The system continues the approach of using an optimal combination of analogue and digital controls through the use of switches, buttons, touch and voice control. There are haptic switches for the windscreen wipers, turn signal indicators, exterior mirrors, volume control, gear selectors and window de-icers. Other functions are optimised for operation using touch/voice control or via the multifunction steering wheel, such as telephone functions, media control systems, navigation, assisted driving, personalisation of displays, selection of MyModes and much more besides.

Alongside data-driven learnings on the use of BMW Operating Systems across the global fleet of now more than 22 million connected BMW vehicles, the development phase of the new BMW Panoramic iDrive also included numerous studies conducted in the BMW Group’s usability labs, in which around 3,000 customers were involved. Every decision on the various aspects of the operating logic is therefore based on data and made in a structured manner. Here, the user experience’s extended scope for personalisation has also been aligned with customer preferences and requirements.

BMW Operating System X: intelligent, versatile, fit for the future.
The new BMW Operating System X represents an update of the latest operating system, as used in many BMW models, and is a wholly in-house development from BMW. Like BMW Operating System 9, it is based on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack. It offers even greater update and upgrade capability than the predecessor system, making it both fit for the future and backwards compatible. It is ready to accommodate additional functions and will keep vehicles equipped with the new BMW Panoramic iDrive at the cutting edge of technology over a long period of time.
“The overall concept of the new BMW Panoramic iDrive with Operating System X has been enabled by a large technological leap forward,” says Stephan Durach Senior Vice President Connected Company BMW Group. “It offers intuitive operation, emotionally engaging experiences and specific personalisation. The new BMW iDrive with Operating System X demonstrates the potential of a software-defined vehicle.”

The expanded intelligence of BMW Operating System X makes it possible to combine the BMW Panoramic Vision, optional BMW 3D Head-Up Display, central display and multifunction steering wheel with one another in such a way that physical and digital experiences merge. For example, an incoming call initially brings up a graphic on the BMW Panoramic Vision. At the same time, a symbol on the relevant steering wheel button that was not previously visible is illuminated in green, indicating the option of taking the call by pressing the button or rejecting it with a swipe on the right-hand side of the steering wheel.
When a navigation destination is entered by touch control or voice command, route guidance alerts are shown on the BMW 3D Head-Up Display and further information on roads and junctions on the BMW Panoramic Vision. A whole map overview can be shown on the central display at any time for broader-scale orientation.

The personalisation of content reaches a new level with BMW Operating System X. The displays in the Panoramic Vision can be adapted to personal preferences. In addition, drivers now also have the option of choosing their own settings for driving attributes such as response and steering characteristics in the My Mode “Personal”. Moreover, pictures chosen by the user can be uploaded as backgrounds for the Central Display and the colourway of the Ambient Lighting and user interface design adjusted to their particular preferences, creating an even more personalised driving experience.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant responds in the accustomed way to the prompt “Hey BMW” or can be called up by pressing the respective button on the multifunction steering wheel. The capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant are being constantly enhanced and will be taken to a whole new level for the Neue Klasse through the integration of Large Language Models (LLM). The use of this technology is focused initially on navigation, allowing the customer to give more extensive spoken commands using natural language: for example: “Take me to a charging station which is close to a food store.” At technology partner Amazon’s booth at CES 2025, visitors can get an initial impression of these capabilities using a beta version of this build of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant in a BMW X3. 

As with the current infotainment systems from BMW, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant can – if the driver desires – make suggestions proactively based on user behaviour. This intelligence expands further with BMW Operating System X. In relevant situations, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant highlights driver assistance systems, which are rarely used by the driver. As a kind of reminder, the system suggests activating Sport Mode on suitable routes if the driver has already activated Sport Mode independently beforehand. If the driver doesn’t respond to or ignores these proactive suggestions several times, the system learns and refrains from making suggestions from then on. 

BMW Operating System X carries over the scope for integration of third-party apps from the previous infotainment generation. As things stand, the BMW ConnectedDrive Store offers more than 60 apps worldwide for BMW Operating System 9. The selection will continue to grow, e.g. with productivity apps such as video conferencing service Zoom.

Design and technology for a unique user and driving experience.
The new BMW Panoramic iDrive is scalable and will be integrated into all new BMW models – across all vehicle segments and with all drive system technologies – from the end of 2025.

The driving experience takes centre stage. The driver should feel at ease and have full control over the vehicle. This principle is reflected in the design of the new BMW Panoramic iDrive. Particular attention is paid to the details: the user interface has been designed as intuitively and adaptively as possible to ensure seamless interaction. The result is a holistic experience enhanced by a harmonious combination of sound, light and innovative design. Every journey becomes a special moment of connection between human and vehicle.
“Technology and customer preferences are changing more quickly than ever. The design of digital experiences and sound is playing an ever more important role,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The new BMW Panoramic iDrive not only makes our vehicles smarter and more user-friendly, it also enables much more extensive personalisation, which turns every new BMW into a car that is very much the user’s own.”
Another element in the holistic experience provided by the BMW Panoramic iDrive is the new HypersonX sound experience in the Neue Klasse models. Developed by the BMW Group Sound Design Studio, it comprises 43 sound signals and special driving sounds for Personal Mode and Sport Mode. The multi-dimensional spectrum adapts the sounds precisely to the driving situation at hand and, in so doing, creates an emotional interaction between the driver and their BMW.

+++ More than a third of BMWs produced in Regensburg are electrified this year +++ Plant Director Armin Ebner: “Regensburg meets growth forecast for EV production” – Annual production 2024 in total: well over 330,000 units +++                                                                      

Regensburg. BMW Group Plant Regensburg has achieved another major milestone: As projected, the threshold of 100,000 fully-electric vehicles produced since the start of the year was reached today. The milestone vehicle, which came off the assembly line in Regensburg today, watched by Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production, is a BMW iX1. The vehicle, finished in Blue Bay Lagoon metallic, will be shipped to overseas, to the island of La Réunion. The plant has produced this successful premium compact model for customers worldwide since November 2022.

Nedeljković: “We offer a very wide range of fully-electric vehicles across all key segments. Our German plants produce these vehicles for the global market, delivering a major contribution to the growth of e-mobility.”

Regensburg Plant Director Armin Ebner offers a correspondingly positive assessment of the year: “We are meeting customer needs with our BMW iX1 and BMW iX2 models. I am especially proud of our team at Plant Regensburg, who once again showed tremendous commitment and flexibility, despite volatile market conditions. We have achieved our projected growth target for production of fully-electric vehicles in Regensburg in 2024, as promised.

More than a third of the vehicles built at our plant this year were electrified – i.e. a plug-in hybrid or an all-electric model. In 2024, we will substantially exceed last year's figure of 238,301 BMW vehicles built in Regensburg –with annual production of well over 330,000 units in total.”

More than 1,400 BMW X1 and BMW X2 models are currently coming off the production line at BMW Group Plant Regensburg every workday. The core BMW X1 model will be produced with all drive train variants: as a combustion-engine vehicle and plug-in hybrid, alongside the fully-electric BMW iX1.

“Our plant has become even more digital, more circular and more efficient overall this year,” says Ebner. “We are systematically driving our transformation towards electromobility and the BMW iFactory – an intelligently connected digital factory.” Recent accolades, such as being named “FACTORY OF THE YEAR” 2024 in the category “excellent large-series assembly” and receiving the “Best Cars Award” for the BMW X1 from trade journal auto motor und sport in 2024, provide impressive proof of this. “I would like to extend a big thank you to our entire plant team and our partners for everything we have achieved together.”

BMW Group Corporate Communications
Saskia Graser, head of Communications Regensburg and Wackersdorf
Cell phone: +49 151 60602014, Email: Saskia.Graser@bmw.de

Martina Hatzel, Communications Production Network

Cell phone: +49 151 60111966, Email: Martina.Hatzel@bmwgroup.com

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

Email: presse@bmw.de

BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf
The BMW Group vehicle plant in Regensburg has been in operation since 1986 and is one of more than 30 BMW Group production locations worldwide. Every workday, around 1,400 vehicles of the BMW X1 and BMW X2 models roll off the production line at Plant Regensburg, destined for customers around the globe. Different types of drive trains are flexibly manufactured on a single production line – ranging from vehicles with internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids and fully-electric models.

BMW Group Plant Regensburg was recognised as “FACTORY OF THE YEAR” 2024 in the category “excellent large-series assembly” of the prestigious industrial competition. As it implements the BMW iFACTORY, the BMW Group is focused on digitalisation of the Regensburg plant site to create a digital and intelligently connected factory. It is already possible to experience in virtual form what the factory will look like a few years from now. Production of models for the NEUE KLASSE, BMW’s next generation of vehicles, will ramp up in Regensburg in the second half of the decade.

The BMW Group plant in Wackersdorf is home to cockpit production and parts supply for overseas plants. With the opening of a new battery testing centre and commissioning of the first phase in autumn 2024, the location has also become a key facilitator for electromobility. An entirely new area of expertise for the site is the door and flap production centre for Rolls-Royce.

The BMW Group core staff at the Regensburg and Wackersdorf locations in eastern Bavaria consists of around 9,250 employees, including more than 300 apprentices.

www.bmwgroup-werke.com/regensburg/de.html

Steyr. Just ten months after the start of system installation, the first electric engine was now shipped from BMW Group Plant Steyr to Debrecen, Hungary. At BMW Group Plant Debrecen, the e-engine will be used in Neue Klasse test vehicles.

“Our plant in Steyr has been delivering the first sixth-generation electric engines to the development department in Munich since September. We also recently began sending our e-engines directly to BMW Group Plant Debrecen, where they are being installed in test vehicles,” explains Klaus von Moltke, SVP Engine Production at BMW AG and Managing Director of BMW Group Plant Steyr.

Plant Steyr already launched production of the first next-generation electric motors three months ago. Helmut Hochsteiner, VP of Electric Engine Production at BMW Group Plant Steyr, adds: “Over the coming months, we will continue to validate and optimise the complex production process for the new electric motors,” The supply of Plant Debrecen with electric engines from Steyr marks the next important milestone towards the start of series production – both Neue Klasse and its electric motors from Austria.

Further information on the production of test vehicles at BMW Group Plant Debrecen can be found in the BMW Group PressClub.

This is BMW Group Plant Steyr

The BMW Group's largest engine plant worldwide is located in Steyr in Upper Austria, where 4,700 employees produce over one million petrol and diesel engines each year. Steyr is also home to a major development centre for the research and development of new drive trains. In June 2022, the company announced that it would begin production of e-drives in 2025. BMW Motoren GmbH in Steyr is currently one of Austria's top industrial companies in terms of revenues and exports.

Munich. The BMW Group and its joint venture Encory are building a Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) for battery cells in Kirchroth, in the Straubing-Bogen district of Lower Bavaria, where it will implement a process referred to as “direct recycling”. This innovative procedure enables residual materials from battery cell production, as well as whole battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled into their valuable components. The recovered raw materials are then directly reused in pilot production of battery cells at the company’s own Battery Cell Competence Centres.

“The new Cell Recycling Competence Centre brings another element to our in-house expertise: From development and pilot production to recycling, we are creating a closed loop for battery cells,” says Markus Fallböhmer, SVP Battery Production at BMW AG, “taking advantage of the short distances between our Competence Centres in Bavaria.” The BMW Group is investing around 10 million euros in construction of the new Competence Centre. Installation work at the building is already scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025. Once completed, validation of the recycling method in near-series processes will get underway.

Innovative direct recycling recovers valuable raw materials

Battery cell raw materials – primarily lithium and cobalt, but also graphite, manganese, nickel and copper – are among the main cost factors in cell production. Responsible use of these resources is essential from both environmental and economic perspectives. “The direct recycling will help reducing the costs for our battery cell pilot line”, explains Fallböhmer. Unlike conventional methods, the main characteristic of direct recycling is that raw materials from battery cells are not reverted to their original state, but are instead fed back “directly” into the cell production cycle. This method dispenses with the previously common energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing. The recycling method was developed by BMW Group experts at the Competence Centres in Munich and Parsdorf. At the new CRCC, it will be implemented on a larger scale and, once the processes are finalised, battery cell material in the mid-double-digit tonne range can be recycled per year.

Optimal location for new Competence Centre in Bavaria

The BMW Group consolidates its battery cell expertise at its Competence Centres in Munich and Parsdorf. The Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in the north of Munich offers state-of-the-art labs and research facilities for developing the battery cells for next-generation high-voltage batteries and producing them in small quantities. The most promising battery cell from the BCCC will be scaled up for series processes on a pilot line at the Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf. Once completed, recycling of surplus material from pilot production in Parsdorf will take place at the new Competence Centre in Kirchroth. The recovered raw materials will then be reused in cell production in Parsdorf. This ensures short distances between all Competence Centres and prevents valuable raw materials from being lost. Following on from the BCCC and CMCC, the CRCC thus represents the next step in the BMW Group’s battery cell strategy on the road to the circular economy.

Joint venture operates Competence Center, intellectual property at the BMW Group

The new CRCC, spanning an area of 2,200 m², will be integrated into the expansion of an existing building in the Kirchroth-Nord industrial park, near Straubing. Electrical energy from the discharged cells will be captured in energy storage systems within the building and used to operate the recycling systems. The energy concept will be rounded out by photovoltaic systems installed on the roof of the building. While the intellectual property for the recycling method is fully owned by the BMW Group – the Competence Centre will be built and operated by Encory GmbH. As a joint venture of the BMW Group and Interzero Group, Encory develops and implements logistics and consulting solutions in areas such as collection, recycling, and remanufacturing of vehicle components. Both partners hold a 50% stake in the company. Around 20 people will be employed in the new Competence Center.

Circular economy at the BMW Group

The BMW Group views the circular economy as one of the key issues in designing more resource-efficient vehicles. The premise is to optimize the circularity of materials. This means resources are not lost, but retain their value for long-term use. The BMW Group applies the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use and Re:Cycle. From vehicle design and production, to recycling and reuse, everything is geared towards ensuring cars can serve as a source of raw materials for new vehicles at the end of their use phase. Recycling focuses, in particular, on the use of innovative methods to recover high-voltage batteries from electrified vehicles.

+++ Use of hydrogen in intralogistics – components delivered to all production areas by hydrogen-powered tugger trains and forklift trucks +++ Gradual transition from electric to hydrogen propulsion by 2030 +++

Regensburg. BMW Group Plant Regensburg plans to utilise hydrogen for its production logistics going forward. Starting in 2026, hydrogen-powered tugger trains and forklift trucks will be deployed for all transport and logistics tasks. This includes operations in the press shop, body shop and assembly, ensuring that the necessary components and individual parts are delivered to the correct locations for installation.

The project aims to capitalise on the benefits of hydrogen propulsion. “The gradual transition from electric to hydrogen propulsion brings us another step closer to the BMW iFACTORY, our digital and sustainable factory of the future,” says Armin Ebner, head of BMW Group Plant Regensburg.

“Switching production logistics from electricity to hydrogen will diversify our plant’s energy mix – while optimising logistics processes and saving valuable space,” explains Project Manager Katharina Radtke. “The advantage of hydrogen is that refuelling is very fast – just like with conventional fuels. The filling stations required for this will be installed directly within the different production areas and do not take up much space.”

The entire logistics fleet at the Regensburg plant is currently being equipped with electric drive trains. The batteries used in the industrial trucks need to be changed twice per shift. Battery replacement, which is performed manually using a crane, takes about 15 minutes and requires space.

To ensure the wide-scale supply of hydrogen in the future, BMW Group plant Regensburg will install a two-kilometre-long pipeline network, with six decentralised filling stations, between now and early 2026. These stations will supply the logistics fleet in the various production areas with hydrogen, delivered in special trailers that can also be used for interim storage. “Once the conversion is completed, our annual hydrogen consumption will be around 150 tonnes,” says Radtke.

The logistics fleet at BMW Group Plant Regensburg currently comprises about 230 tugger train haulers and forklift trucks. The transition will be completed in stages by 2030.


BMW Group Corporate Communications

Christian Dürrschmidt, Communications Regensburg
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 5194
Email: Christian.Duerrschmidt@bmw.de

Saskia Graser, head of Communications Regensburg and Wackersdorf
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 2014
Email: Saskia.Graser@bmw.de

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

Email: presse@bmw.de


BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf

The BMW Group has viewed itself for decades as the benchmark for production technology and operational excellence in vehicle construction – including at its locations in Regensburg and Wackersdorf. The BMW Group vehicle plant in Regensburg has been in operation since 1986 and is one of more than 30 BMW Group production locations worldwide. A total of up to 1,400 vehicles of the BMW X1 and BMW X2 models come off the production line at Plant Regensburg every workday – destined for customers all over the world. Different types of drive trains are flexibly manufactured on a single production line – from vehicles with internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids, to fully-electric models.

High-voltage batteries for the electric models built in Regensburg are also produced locally, in direct proximity to the vehicle plant. They are assembled at the electric component production facility, which opened in 2021 at the Leibnizstrasse location.

BMW Innovation Park Wackersdorf also belongs to the Regensburg site. The 55-hectare campus built in the 1980s was originally intended as a nuclear reprocessing facility. The BMW Group has located its cockpit production there, as well as its parts supply for overseas plants. In addition to BMW as the largest employer, several other companies are also based at Innovation Park Wackersdorf. A total of around 2,500 employees work there.
The BMW Group core staff at the Regensburg and Wackersdorf locations in eastern Bavaria is made up of around 9,250 employees, including more than 300 apprentices.


www.bmwgroup-werke.com/regensburg/de.html

Debrecen. BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Hungary is shifting into first gear: Production of test vehicles is ramping up and the first near-series fully-electric X models for the Neue Klasse are now leaving the production line.* This marks the beginning of the final preparation phase for the start of series production in late 2025.

“The production of the first test vehicles in Debrecen is an important milestone in commissioning the new plant,” says Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. With vehicles now approaching series maturity, all logistics and production processes at the plant are being tested and constantly optimised under real conditions to ensure a smooth start of series production.

On the road to series production

The integration of new models in a plant starts with the production of near-series vehicles – an important step for the preparation of series production in Debrecen. As part of this process, test vehicles cycle through all production steps. This also means that all logistics processes, manufacturing equipment and operations performed by employees at the plant already have to function smoothly. These operations are just as complex as in actual series production. Despite the limited number of parts involved, they must still be made available in the appropriate logistics processes.

Materials and vehicle parts are delivered daily to Plant Debrecen, with test vehicles coming off the production line on a continuous basis. Every part and every production step is closely scrutinised. Special attention is paid to validation of cutting-edge production systems and tools, including their digital connectivity.

Running system tests for the future vehicle model helps identify further potential for optimisation. In the coming months, the focus will be on refining processes, based on the insights gained.

During this phase, new staff will also undergo intensive training on the installations and machinery. Close cooperation across all areas of production will ensure operations are seamlessly integrated for a smooth and successful series launch.

*Since this is a pre-production model, consumption data for the X model of the Neue Klasse is not available at this time.

Munich/Parsdorf. With the publication of its first environmental impact report, the new BMW Group Competence Center for Battery Cell Manufacturing (CMCC) in Parsdorf has been awarded EMAS certification. The acronym EMAS stands for European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, which claims to be the most stringent environmental management system in the world. The certification was presented to Bernd Wächtershäuser, Director of the CMCC in Parsdorf, on 18 November. Speaking during a visit by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria, Wächtershäuser said: “We are very pleased to receive this award, which underlines the fact that our processes operate on a very high level, in both economic and environmental terms.  The entire team has done an excellent job in achieving this certification.”

The CMCC in Parsdorf is where the BMW Group manufactures prototype cells of the kind that will be used in the Neue Klasse models from 2025. It is also a manifestation of the company’s pioneering role in battery cell technology. “Economic success and sustainable operations are not a contradiction,” said Manfred Gößl, Managing Director of the IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria at the presentation of the certificate. “Quite the opposite, in fact – as is evidenced by every facility pursuing EMAS certification. The IHK would like to congratulate the BMW Group Competence Centre in Parsdorf on this milestone.”

CMCC Parsdorf: Efficient operations, and concepts for the cell cycle

The EMAS certification underlines the rigorous environmental standards that govern operations at the CMCC in Parsdorf. Its technical systems for battery cell production have been subject to an immission control approval procedure, and the site was found to meet all requirements and specifications. The CMCC is powered by non-fossil energy from 100% renewable sources. Natural gas was deliberately rejected as a source of power, and the building is instead supplied with regenerative heat thanks to state-of-the-art groundwater and air source heat pumps. Hot water for process ventilation is obtained highly efficiently, via the waste heat from various primary processes. “Pilot production focuses on reducing consumption of critical raw materials and energy, avoiding solvents and developing innovative approaches to support circular raw materials for batteries,” Wächtershäuser explained. Raw materials are a significant cost factor in cell production, so using them efficiently and responsibly is essential in terms of both economic and environmental considerations. The CMCC in Parsdorf is also helping the BMW Group learn more about how to further optimise the use of resources. Wherever technically feasible, residual materials generated during the production process are fed into the material loop. Active materials incorporate a significant share of recyclates.

EMAS certification: Strict requirements and high environmental standards

To obtain EMAS certification, businesses must fulfil stringent requirements and comply with rigorous environmental standards. EMAS is a globally recognised standard that helps companies to manage and continuously improve their environmental impact. A key part of the EMAS environmental management system consists of the international environmental management standard ISO 14001. EMAS also focuses on measurable improvements, transparency and legal security. The aim of the certification is to help companies continuously improve their environmental performance, for example by using energy and material more efficiently and reducing emissions, wastewater and waste from their sites. Besides these direct environmental impacts, EMAS focuses on indirect aspects, such as the environmental compatibility of products, procurement and supply chains, contractors’ conduct, and recording and evaluating the impact of employees commuting to work.

(Source: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/wirtschaft-konsum/wirtschaft-umwelt/umwelt-energiemanagement/emas-umweltmanagement-guetesiegel-der-europaeischen#systematisches-umweltmanagement-mit-emas)

How a battery cell is made: The stages of prototype production at the CMCC

Cell production at CMCC in Parsdorf starts with the manufacture of the electrode. The basic materials – including graphite for the anode and nickel oxides for the cathode – are dosed and mixed with binders and solvents in exact ratios to create what’s known as slurry. This is then used to coat wafer-thin metal foils and compress them after drying, in a process known in the business as calendering. In calendering, maximum precision is vital, as the foil is just a few micrometres thick, thinner than the threads of a spider’s web, and the coating is also in the micrometre range. The coated foils – or calendered electrodes – then move on to cell assembly, where they are wound into “jelly rolls” with the separator and inserted into the cell housing. The cells are then filled with electrolyte, charged for the first time and tested for function and quality.

Parsdorf prototypes: New cell format and advanced cell chemistry

Battery cells determine the key characteristics of electric vehicles: range, mileage and charging time. The new cylindrical cell by BMW is specially designed for the electric architecture of the Neue Klasse models and can significantly increase range by up to 30 percent (according to WLTP) – possibly even more, depending on the model. It has a uniform diameter of 46 millimetres and comes in two different heights: 95 and 120 millimetres. The nickel content is higher than that of BMW’s fifth-generation battery cells and the cobalt content is lower. On the anode side, the silicon content is higher, meaning an increase in volumetric energy density in the cell of more than 20 percent. The high-voltage battery, drive and charging technology of the Neue Klasse will have a higher voltage of 800 volts. One advantage of this is that it optimises the feed-in of energy at DC fast-charging stations.

Transparent reporting: Environmental impact statement now online

The environmental impact statement of the BMW Group’s CMCC and test-parts logistics in Parsdorf has been independently reviewed by TÜV SÜD Umweltgutachter GmbH and is now available online at (in German only): https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/responsibility/downloads/de/2023/Umwelterklaerung_2023_Parsdorf.pdf

+++ Investment of over € 100 million in BMW Group Plant Wackersdorf – site in Upper Palatinate becomes key enabler for electromobility +++

Wackersdorf. One year ago, the BMW Group announced plans to build a new battery testing centre at the Wackersdorf location. Now, the initial phase has come on-stream as planned. Scheduled for completion in late 2025, the site, which spans over 8,000 square metres, will rigorously test individual battery cells, complete high-voltage batteries and other electric powertrain components for future BMW Group models early in development, well before they go into production.

The investment of around 100 million euros has primarily focused on complex test-bench technology and the upgrades to the building's existing infrastructure required for operation. Hall 80, located on the grounds of the Wackersdorf plant, has been remodelled for this purpose: Originally constructed in the 1980s for a planned reprocessing facility, the building has quite a history.

In recent months, structural work for the new battery testing centre has been in progress, including installation of a new floor slab. A total of 2,200 tonnes of structural steel and 10,000 cubic metres of concrete were used in the expansion.

The commissioning of the initial section means that the so-called “battery testers” will be operating around the clock to test battery cells during the early phase of development. Essentially, the electrical performance of individual battery cells is determined during charging and discharging under different conditions. This allows use cases that will be relevant for customers later to be simulated, long before a vehicle under development drives on the road. 

“Parallel testing of several hundred battery cells will initially be possible. Once the ramp-up is complete, testing capacity will reach several thousand battery cells,” explains Project Manager Dr Felix Schmidt-Stein. In the final phase from 2025 onwards, the testing centre will also be used to validate the BMW Group’s battery-electric vehicles prior to the official launch of series production and ensure the required premium quality. “For example, this includes subjecting the batteries to vibration and shock tests,” adds Schmidt-Stein. “We can also simulate complex driving patterns in endurance tests, including charging and discharging cycles. Tests like these are essential for type approval of electric vehicles.” 

“Commissioning of the first phase of the new battery testing centre means that the BMW Group's Wackersdorf location is poised to become a major facilitator in the transformation towards electromobility,” confirms Site Manager Christoph Peters. “The new battery testing centre gives our site a broader foundation. We are now adding a fourth pillar in Wackersdorf – in addition to supplying our overseas plants, cockpit production and door production for Rolls-Royce models. This represents a strong commitment to the future of the site.” 
BMW Group Corporate Communications

Saskia Graser, head of Communications Regensburg and Wackersdorf
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 2014, Email: Saskia.Graser@bmw.de 

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en 
Email: presse@bmw.de 

BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf

The BMW Group has viewed itself for decades as the benchmark for production technology and operational excellence in vehicle construction – including at its locations in Regensburg and Wackersdorf. 
The BMW Group vehicle plant in Regensburg has been in operation since 1986 and is one of more than 30 BMW Group production locations worldwide. A total of up to 1,400 vehicles of the BMW X1 and BMW X2 models come off the production line at Plant Regensburg every workday – destined for customers all over the world. Different types of drive trains are flexibly manufactured on a single production line – from vehicles with internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids, to fully-electric models. 

High-voltage batteries for the electric models built in Regensburg are also produced locally, in direct proximity to the vehicle plant. They are assembled at the electric component production facility, which opened in 2021 at the Leibnizstrasse location.

BMW Innovation Park Wackersdorf also belongs to the Regensburg site. The 55-hectare campus built in the 1980s was originally intended as a nuclear reprocessing facility. The BMW Group has located its cockpit production there, as well as its parts supply for overseas plants. In addition to BMW as the largest employer, several other companies are also based at Innovation Park Wackersdorf. A total of around 2,500 employees work there. 
The BMW Group core staff at the Regensburg and Wackersdorf locations in eastern Bavaria is made up of around 9,250 employees, including more than 300 apprentices.

www.bmwgroup-werke.com/regensburg/de.html 

Irlbach-Strasskirchen. The 1066th and thus the last pillar of the BMW Group's new assembly plant for high-voltage batteries is in place. Just 16 weeks, around 100 working days after the official start of construction at the end of June, a mobile construction crane brought the final concrete pillar of the central production building vertically. Overall, the assembly plant is clearly taking shape: prefabricated elements for fire-, interior- and outer-walls as well as stairwells have already been installed, concrete ceilings, roof structures including roof sheets and seals have already been built in. The concreting of the hall floor has begun in the already covered areas. Preparatory work has been carried out for the installation of the first façade elements. Despite difficult weather conditions in recent weeks, construction progress has thus been achieved according to plan.

Alexander Kiy, overall Project Manager Plant Construction in Irlbach-Strasskirchen: “We received construction permission for our new assembly plant just six months ago. In cooperation with the authorities, we were able to successfully complete one of Germany's fastest building permit processes in April 2024. In less than half a year, all pillars are now in place. The structure of the central production building is clearly visible.”

In the future, the sixth-generation high-voltage batteries for the Neue Klasse will be manufactured in the approximately 150,000 square meter building. The assembly site in Lower Bavaria is making a significant contribution to the expansion of e-mobility and will supply the Munich, Regensburg and Dingolfing vehicle plants with the latest, sixth generation of high-voltage batteries. The BMW Group is thus securing employment at its Bavarian plants and further expanding the pioneering role of e-mobility in Germany. When completed, around 1,600 people will initially be employed at this production site.

The Irlbach-Strasskirchen site is one of a total of five assembly plants worldwide for the new generation of high-voltage batteries.

Digital construction planning and cross-functional collaboration

Silvia Meyer, Head of High-Voltage Battery Real Estate Management in Lower Bavaria: “Cooperation across locations helps us a lot to implement the five similar construction projects worldwide at high speed. We benefit from the experience of projects with different degrees of progress. Beside us, our colleagues, who plan the assembly process and logistics, are already using digital production planning. It helps all of us. We identify interfaces at an early stage and discuss solutions in virtual space and can counteract potential collisions at an early stage.” In concrete terms, all processes, including transitions between the assembly stages, are simulated. For example, it is necessary to coordinate the space required for interim storage, which is necessary for the timely provision of the required parts at the respective location. The way in which these parts are delivered must be considered, as well as technical connections and free space for plant maintenance work.

Site operation functions located in side-buildings

As planned, construction of the side-buildings began in summer 2024. Construction work has begun for the company catering, the non-series material warehouse and the disposal center. The so-called terraced house houses the energy center, service center and the factory fire department.

The structure, including roof work, of the central production building is to be completed by the end of 2024. In 2025, the interior construction will be continued and the production systems for assembling the high-voltage batteries are being installed. After trial operation, series assembly will start in 2026.

Further information about the new location in Irlbach-Strasskirchen can be found on the project website — at www.bmwgroup-werke.com/irlbach-strasskirchen. The next opening dates for the information container on the construction site: October 25, November 15 and December 13 from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Leipzig. The electrification of transport logistics for e-component production is gathering pace. Recently, two fully electrically powered trucks took over the transportation of components from the warehouse to the high-voltage battery production halls at BMW Group Plant Leipzig. Together, they will save around nine tonnes of CO₂ a year compared with conventional diesel-powered transport vehicles.

The two electric trucks complete the eight-kilometre round trip from the logistics centre to Leipzig’s high-voltage battery production halls and back up to twelve times a day. That’s almost 100 kilometres per truck per day – covered quietly and with zero local emissions. For short distances like this, electric trucks are the perfect solution.

The two vehicles transport parts for e-drive production, primarily of battery cells and battery modules. They take the parts from the logistics warehouse in BMW Allee to the production halls on the plant premises, operating round the clock in three shifts. The semi-trailer sports a battery symbol on the side and words proclaiming that the fully electric truck is on the road for Leipzig – for local production, emissions-free transportation and high-voltage batteries made in the city.

Electric trucks support high-voltage battery production

BMW Group Plant Leipzig has been manufacturing e-components for the production network since 2021. Since early 2024 it has also been running the entire high-voltage battery production process for the current, fifth generation. This consists of three stages, which are carried out on the plant’s five cell coating, three module production and two high-voltage battery assembly lines – and include the powerpacks for the MINI Countryman Electric, manufactured in-house since March of this year. Battery production currently operates with a team of about 1,000 employees.

As well as high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric, Plant Leipzig produces battery packs and modules for the BMW production network, for the fully electric BMW iX1, BMW iX2, BMW i4, BMW i5 and BMW iX.

High-voltage batteries are produced in the halls that used to be home to BMW i3 and BMW i8 assembly. The halls have now been converted and new buildings added, creating some 150,000m² of space for this area of production on the premises of Plant Leipzig. Annual output stands at up to 300,000 high-voltage batteries a year, with the BMW Group’s investments in e-component production at Plant Leipzig totalling more than 900 million euros so far.

Plant Director Petra Peterhänsel sees the introduction of the two electric trucks as a further milestone on the road to the future: “We are delighted to be undertaking this journey with our longstanding logistics partner, the Rudolph Logisitik Gruppe. The transition to electromobility and sustainable production affects not only our BMW and MINI cars but our production methods and supply chains as well.”

Lower emissions, less noise

Powered by lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems, the two fully electric trucks working for BMW Group Plant Leipzig are made by Designwerk. According to the manufacturer, the four electric drives in a Designwerk electric truck deliver 610 hp and are three times more efficient than their diesel counterparts when out on the road. They produce zero emissions when in operation and do not impact the environment with soot particles, nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO₂) or engine noise. Studies show that when passing or accelerating at low speeds, an electric truck emits around five decibels (dB) less noise than a comparable diesel-powered vehicle.

Trucks are charged during drivers’ breaks. Their 340 kWh batteries take around 1.5 hours to recharge to 80 percent. They can be replenished about 3,000 times, according to Designwerk.

Open to different technologies to reduce CO₂ from logistics

The use of electric trucks in logistics is among the measures in the BMW Group-wide Green Transport Logistics Project. This aims to reduce emissions from transportation in the global production and sales network, and takes an open approach to technologies, prioritising CO₂-efficient energy and transportation options. Besides battery-electric trucks, increasing use is being made of biofuels such as HVO100, made from residues and waste and used at the Munich site, for instance. Production deliveries in Germany have also been trialled using bio-LNG in vehicles on the roads. Moreover, in an attempt to learn more about using hydrogen as a fuel for trucks, the BMW Group is involved in research projects such as H2Haul and HyCET.

By 2030 the BMW Group aims to reduce CO₂ emissions across the vehicle lifecycle by 40 percent, compared with 2019.

Paris. Parallel to the market launch of the new BMW 1 Series, the new BMW X3 and the new BMW M5, the BMW Group will present the next steps in its unchanged product strategy at the Mondial de l'Auto Paris 2024. The focus is on the world premieres of the first all-electric MINI John Cooper Works models and the first joint motor show appearance of the latest concept studies of the BMW Neue Klasse, which will go into series production in 2025.

“The BMW Group is demonstrating its pioneering role in electric mobility at the Mondial de l'Auto Paris with a cross-segment range of electrified vehicles. Thanks to our attractive BEV product portfolio, we are able to grow our all-electric sales even in a demanding market environment. In the European market, we were even able to gain market share with the BMW brand,” says Jochen Goller, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Customers, Brands, Sales.

What BMW M is to BMW, JCW is to MINI. 
The new all-electric MINI John Cooper Works models.
With the world premiere of the all-electric MINI John Cooper Works Electric and the MINI John Cooper Works Aceman, the brand's long racing history is transferred to the here and now with innovative power. The two models effortlessly transfer motorsport expertise from the race track to the road. In addition to the exclusive, sporty design

and optimised aerodynamic driving characteristics, MINI fans can also look forward to the brand's hallmark agile handling. Click [here] for more information.

The roll-out of electrification to the John Cooper Works brand within MINI transmits another strong signal on how the BMW Group is committed to electric driving as a strategic direction.

At the same time, the Mondial de l'Auto Paris 2024 marks the ideal starting point for intensified communication in the further ramp up for BMW Neue Klasse, due for launch in 2025.

First joint appearance of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse and BMW Vision Neue Klasse X.
BMW is showing two Neue Klasse Vision Vehicles in Paris, which provide an outlook on the wide range of BMW's future model portfolio.
The BMW Vision New Class is a sporty electric sedan for the premium mid-range. The BMW Vision New Class X transfers the philosophy and technology of the future generation of vehicles to the Sports Activity Vehicle segment.

"With the two vision cars for Neue Klasse we are showing how we are going to change the look & feel of the BMW brand. Many aspects of our cars will be completely new and yet we believe that the Neue Klasse will reflect the very essence of the BMW brand", says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.

Both vehicles are characterized by a clear, reduced design language. In the interior, the next generation of BMW iDrive enables intuitive interaction between driver and vehicle. The combination of BMW Panoramic Vision, 3D Head-Up Display, Central Display and the new multifunction steering wheel redefine the BMW driver orientation. Click [here] for more information.

The new BMW iX2 features in-car entertainment highlight UNO® Car Party! And Paramount+.
With UNO® Car Party! in the BMW iX2, the BMW Group is showing the next in-car gaming highlight. Since the end of August 2024, the game has already been available in over 500,000 BMW and MINI vehicles via the AirConsole platform. In addition, it was only at the beginning of October that the BMW Group brought the popular subscription streaming service Paramount+ into the vehicle, offering subscribers access to a wide range of blockbusters, new originals and hit series such as Star Trek Discovery. Customers have access to in-car entertainment highlights in their vehicles with BMW and MINI Operating System 9 in conjunction with BMW Digital Premium or the MINI Connected Package*.

*Paramount+ subscription is not part of BMW Digital Premium/MINI Connected Package.

In addition to the outlook for the BMW Neue Klasse and new digital services, also hydrogen technology is key topic at the Mondial de l'Auto Paris 2024, as a further expression of the BMW Group's open technology drive strategy.

BMW will launch its first hydrogen-powered production model in 2028. 
After successfully testing the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet worldwide, the BMW Group is now preparing for series production of vehicles with hydrogen drive systems in 2028. The series production models will be integrated into BMW’s existing portfolio. Hydrogen is recognized as a promising future energy carrier of the future, actingas an effective storage medium for renewable energy sources, helping to balance supply and demand and enabling a more stable and reliable integration of renewables into the energy grid.

Click [here] for more information.

The BMW Group is also showing the complete all-electric BMW and MINI product portfolio at Mondial de l'Auto Paris 2024. It now consists of more than 15 models, which cover all major market segments.

The motor show presentation is rounded off with the electric two-wheelers from BMW Motorrad for urban areas. Click [here] for more information.

The BMW Group stand at Mondial de l'Automobile Paris 2024 covers an area of 1,300 square metres. The fair is open to trade visitors on 14 October and to the general public from 15 to 20 October 2024.

Munich/Zagreb. Innovations often arise where experts from different areas and organizations come together. This is exactly what is happening now as part of a research cooperation between the BMW Group's Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) and the University of Zagreb's Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technology (CRTA).

The two partners are jointly developing solutions to improve the production of battery cells using artificial intelligence (AI). Doctoral candidates and students at the University of Zagreb are collecting and structuring existing production data. Based on this data, AI models are created that can identify certain patterns in the data. This allows them to make predictions on how production can be further optimized in terms of performance, quality and costs.

Battery cell know-how along the entire value chain

The BMW Group bundles its battery cell know-how in its competence centers in Munich and Parsdorf. At the Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) in the north of Munich, battery cells for future generations of high-voltage batteries are developed and manufactured in small quantities. State-of-the-art laboratories, research facilities and prototyping facilities cover the know-how along the entire battery cell value chain. The BCCC is complemented by the Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf. The best battery cell from the BCCC is scaled towards a series process at the pilot line in Parsdorf. The close, cross-departmental cooperation between development, purchasing and production uniquely links product and process at the BMW Group.

The importance of European knowledge exchange

The University of Zagreb contributes its expertise in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science to this project. Both partners benefit from the continuous exchange of knowledge: "As a university, we offer the BMW Group access to the latest research results and innovative ideas, while our students benefit from the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice," says Zdenko Tonković, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture at the University of Zagreb.

Promoting young talents

Another aspect of this cooperation is the promotion of young talents. "Through this joint project, we inspire students for the BMW Group and the innovative work in our battery cell competence centers," explains Moritz Poremba, Head of Battery Cell Recycling Technology Development at the BMW Group. "Of course, we also hope to attract young talents to our company." The students benefit from the cooperation through intensive mentoring and the opportunity to expand their professional network in the industry. This increases their attractiveness on the job market and offers them excellent career opportunities. The cooperation between the BMW Group and the University of Zagreb strengthens the innovative power and competitiveness of both partners.

Munich. BMW plans to launch its first-ever series production fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2028, thereby offering customers an additional all-electric powertrain option with zero local emissions in a BMW. The BMW Group and the Toyota Motor Corporation are pooling their innovative strength and their technological capabilities to bring a new generation of fuel cell powertrain technology to the roads. Both companies share the aspiration of advancing the hydrogen economy and have extended their collaboration to push this locally zero-emission technology to the next level.

The BMW Group’s leading development expertise in electric drive technologies is once again demonstrated by its relentless efforts to advance hydrogen fuel cell technology and its embracing of a 'technology-openness' approach in order to provide customers with a range of mobility solutions for the future.

“This is a milestone in automotive history: the first-ever series production fuel cell vehicle to be offered by a global premium manufacturer. Powered by hydrogen and driven by the spirit of our cooperation, it will underscore how technological progress is shaping future mobility,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “And it will herald an era of significant demand for fuel cell electric vehicles.”

Koji Sato, President and Member of the Board of Management (Representative Director) Toyota Motor Corporation, said, “We are pleased that the collaboration between BMW and Toyota has entered a new stage. In our long history of partnership, we have confirmed that BMW and Toyota share the same passion for cars and belief in ‘technology openness’ and a ‘multi-pathway’ approach to carbon neutrality. Based on these shared values, we will deepen our collaboration in efforts such as the joint development of next-generation fuel cell systems and the expansion of infrastructure, aiming for the realization of a hydrogen society. We will accelerate our efforts together with BMW and partners across various industries to realize a future where hydrogen energy supports society."

Shared powertrain technology utilized across individual models to offer attractive FCEV options.

The BMW Group and the Toyota Motor Corporation will jointly develop the powertrain system for passenger vehicles, with the core fuel cell technology (the individual third-generation fuel cells) creating synergies for both commercial and passenger vehicle applications. The result of this collaborative effort will be utilized in individual models from both BMW and Toyota and will expand the range of FCEV options available to customers, bringing the vision of hydrogen mobility one step closer to reality. Customers can expect the BMW and Toyota FCEV models to maintain their distinct brand identities and characteristics, providing them with individual FCEV options to choose from. Realizing synergies and amalgamating the total volume of powertrain units by collaborating on development and procurement promises to drive down the costs of fuel cell technology.

BMW will launch its first hydrogen-powered production model in 2028.  

After successfully testing the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet worldwide, the BMW Group is now preparing for series production of vehicles with hydrogen drive systems in 2028 on the basis of the jointly developed next-generation powertrain technology. The series production models will be integrated into BMW’s existing portfolio, i.e. BMW will offer an existing model in an additional hydrogen fuel cell drive system variant. As FCEV technology is another electric vehicle technology, the BMW Group explicitly views it as complementing the drive technology used by battery electric vehicles (BEV) and next to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and internal combustion engines (ICE).

A new level of partnership.

The BMW Group and the Toyota Motor Corporation can look back on over a decade of trusting and successful collaboration. Building on this, the companies are now extending their cooperation to accelerate innovation of next-generation fuel cell powertrain systems and pioneer this new technology.

Shared vision of advancing the hydrogen economy.

The pathway to realizing the full potential of hydrogen mobility includes its use in commercial vehicles and the establishment of a refuelling infrastructure for all mobility applications, including hydrogen-powered passenger vehicles. Recognizing the complementary nature of these technologies, the BMW Group and the Toyota Motor Corporation are supporting the expansion of both hydrogen refuelling and battery electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Both companies are encouraging sustainable hydrogen supply by creating demand, working closely with companies that are building low-carbon hydrogen production, distribution, and refuelling facilities.

The BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation are advocating the creation of a conducive framework by governments and investors to facilitate the early-stage penetration of hydrogen mobility and ensure its economic viability. By promoting the corresponding infrastructure, they aim to establish the FCEV market as an additional pillar alongside other powertrain technologies. Furthermore, the companies are seeking regional or local projects to further drive the development of hydrogen infrastructure through collaborative initiatives.

Benefits of hydrogen-powered technology.

Hydrogen is recognized as a promising future energy carrier for global decarbonization. It acts as an effective storage medium for renewable energy sources, helping to balance supply and demand and enabling a more stable and reliable integration of renewables into the energy grid. Hydrogen is the missing piece for completing the electric mobility puzzle where battery electric drive systems are not an optimal solution.

Dingolfing. Since the first production lines went on-stream ten years ago, BMW Group Component Plant 02.20 in Dingolfing has built more than 1.5 million electric motors, one million high-voltage batteries and ten million battery modules. The site in Lower Bavaria continues to blaze a trail for the ramp-up of electromobility. Today, the BMW Group has a higher percentage of total sales from electrified vehicles than any other German automotive manufacturer. “Our Plant 02.20 in Dingolfing plays a crucial part in this,” explains Stefan Kasperowski, Vice President High-Voltage Battery production at Bavarian plants. “We provide the BMW Group’s vehicle plants with a reliable and flexible supply of e-drive components for our electrified vehicles.”

State-of-the-art site with long history

Plant 02.20 is a prime example of successful transformation, having been in operation for more than half a century. For many years, it was home to the BMW Group’s central spare parts warehouse. It was only in the early 2010s that aftersales logistics was relocated, making room for electromobility. There were initially about 200 employees producing electric motors and high-voltage batteries for the BMW Group’s first plug-in hybrids and, later, its fully-electric models. The current fifth generation of electric motors and high-voltage batteries began rolling off the production line in 2020. Since 2015, the BMW Group has invested more than one billion euros in transforming Plant 02.20 into the company's “heart” and Competence Centre for E-Drive Production, establishing around 15 production lines for battery modules, electric motors and high-voltage batteries. Over time, the number of BMW Group employees has gradually increased and production volumes have risen. Today, more than 2,500 people work in e-drive production at Plant 02.20. The majority of these employees previously worked in other areas of vehicle production.

Ten years ago, Markus Fallböhmer, current Senior Vice President Battery Production at the BMW Group, was responsible for planning and production of electric drive systems in Dingolfing and Landshut. “Redesigning and transforming Plant 02.20 plant at this record pace was certainly quite a feat,” he recalls. “We managed construction work, commissioning of systems and series production virtually simultaneously. This enabled us to meet growing demand for electrified models and successfully implement the transition to e-mobility.” As Fallböhmer points out, the high quality of e-components, economical production methods and stable supplies to vehicle plants are all crucial. Today, Plant 02.20 consistently operates at a high level, supplying the production network with components for electrification. “Dingolfing is the heart of the e-drive at the BMW Group,” says Klaus von Moltke, Senior Vice President Engine Production at the BMW Group. “About 80 percent of all our electric motors are currently produced in Dingolfing.” The figure for high-voltage batteries is around 60 percent.

Close links between battery factory and vehicle production

To continue to meet growing demand for electrified models in the coming years, the BMW Group has created a global network for e-drive production, with additional locations in Leipzig, Regensburg, Spartanburg (USA) and Shenyang (China) for the current generation of high-voltage batteries. For the new sixth generation, which will be used from 2025 onwards in the models of the Neue Klasse, locations are being established around the world in the US, Mexico, China and Hungary, as well as in Irlbach-Straßkirchen in Lower Bavaria. In line with its “local for local” principle, these sites are located as close as possible to BMW Group vehicle plants.

Production network benefits from Dingolfing expertise

As the nucleus of electrification at the BMW Group, Plant 02.20 will continue to play a key role in the future, supporting development of new facilities in a variety of different ways. Comprehensive skills development for the new plant in Debrecen is currently underway. Some of the employees will also be deployed to the new high-voltage battery facility in Irlbach-Straßkirchen. The BMW Group engine plant in Steyr, Austria, which will build the upcoming generation of electric motors for the Neue Klasse, will also benefit from Dingolfing’s expertise in electric motor production, while the housing will be supplied by Plant Landshut. Looking ahead, Kasperowski says: "Both the capacity of the Dingolfing location and its employees’ skills will continue to be in demand.” Fallböhmer confirms: “We are reaping huge benefits from having navigated the learning curve for e-component production ahead of others. The whole production network is now harnessing this knowledge to continue the success and bolster the growth of e-mobility at the BMW Group.”

If you have any questions, please contact:

Julian Friedrich, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, head of Communications
Telephone: +49 8731 76 22020, Email: Julian.Friedrich@bmw.de

Thomas Niedermeier, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, Communications
Telephone: +49 8731 76 27666, Email: Thomas.Niedermeier@bmwgroup.com

Christian Marxt, BMW Group Communications Production Network
Telephone: +49 89 382 79158, mobile: +49 151 601 12225, Email: Christian.Marxt@bmw.de

Munich. The Neue Klasse will usher in a new era of fully electric driving at the BMW Group – the success of which will depend heavily on the production of powerful high-voltage batteries. That’s why the BMW Group is expanding its production network for the next generation of high-voltage batteries significantly. “We are setting up five facilities on three continents to produce our sixth-generation high-voltage batteries,” explained Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG. Across the globe, the principle of “local for local” will apply: "Close connection of battery production with vehicle production is part of our strategy," explains Markus Fallböhmer, Senior Vice President of Battery Production at BMW AG. This helps the BMW Group increase the resilience of its production.

Battery and vehicle production closely connected

The Neue Klasse will be the first to incorporate the all-new cylindrical cells. These represent a technological leap by the BMW Group, offering vastly improved energy density, charging times and range. They will be assembled in new facilities located as closely as possible to vehicle plants, in keeping with the principle of “local for local”. State-of-the-art assembly plants for sixth-generation high-voltage batteries are currently under construction in Irlbach-Strasskirchen (Lower Bavaria), Debrecen (Hungary), Woodruff (near Plant Spartanburg in the US), Shenyang (China) and San Luis Potosí, Mexico. With the “local for local” approach in place, production will be able to continue even when unexpected political or economic events occur. In addition, short distances between battery and vehicle plants will reduce the carbon footprint of car production. The BMW Group is also upgrading its existing sites and therefore securing and creating jobs.

Neue Klasse to launch first at Plant Debrecen in 2025

The first Neue Klasse vehicles will be produced at the BMW Group’s new plant in Debrecen, starting in 2025. High-voltage battery and vehicle manufacturing will launch in parallel. With the training centre in Debrecen open since autumn 2023 and the communications centre in use since February 2024, a large number of employees are already at work in their offices at the site. The production team, meanwhile, are preparing for their new jobs at various locations across the BMW Group production network. This will ensure a smooth start to pre-series production and a successful series launch in the second half of 2025. Currently, the final buildings are being completed. They will be handed over to the technologies by the end of the year.

High-voltage batteries from Lower Bavaria

The BMW Group is also going to manufacture high-voltage batteries for Neue Klasse models in Germany – specifically in Irlbach-Straßkirchen, in Lower Bavaria. The new facility will supply sixth-generation high-voltage batteries to German car plants. The BMW Group was granted permission to build the new high-voltage battery assembly plant in April 2024 and erected the first of pillar for the production hall in late June 2024. The production building is scheduled to be enclosed with facade and roof by the end of the year. The citizens of Straßkirchen had previously voted in favour of the BMW Group coming to their area, with a clear majority in the referendum of September 2023.

China to produce the Neue Klasse from 2026

From 2026 Neue Klasse vehicles will also be made by BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) in Shenyang, China. Here, too, the sixth-generation high-voltage batteries required for the cars will be manufactured locally. The production hall was completed in November 2023 after a construction time of only 21 months. The installation of plant and machinery has been underway since March 2024. Preparing for the launch of the Neue Klasse, the BMW Group has also set up its largest R&D network outside Germany, with facilities in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Nanjing.

Neue Klasse in Mexico from 2027

At San Luis Potosí in Mexico, additional production capacity is being established for series production of the Neue Klasse to start in 2027. Construction of the new high-voltage battery assembly plant started in May 2024 and will comprise more than 80,000 square metres of production space when completed. But the integration of battery assembly is not all that’s changing at Plant San Luis Potosí: the bodyshop is set to grow to more than 90,000 square metres in total, while vehicle assembly and logistics spaces will expand by nearly 10,000 square metres. The BMW Group is the first premium OEM to manufacture fully electric cars and high-voltage batteries in Mexico – and a pioneer in the industry. Additionally, the company plans to expand the photovoltaic systems within the plant and thus double the power generated from photovoltaics. This is intended to generate more than 20 percent of the current electricity demand directly on the plant premises in the future.

BMW Group Plant Woodruff: High-voltage batteries for Spartanburg

Electromobility is also advancing in South Carolina. BMW Group Plant Woodruff will cover an area of about 93 hectares and consist of a technology building, ancillary structures, an energy centre, a staff restaurant, a fire department and a Talent Campus. It will create more than 300 new jobs with the BMW Group. When construction reaches completion in 2026, Woodruff will assemble high-voltage batteries for fully electric cars made in nearby Plant Spartanburg. The ground-breaking ceremony for the first building in Woodruff – the training centre – was in June 2023.

Battery expertise concentrated in Parsdorf and Munich

Prototype battery cells like the ones in the Neue Klasse, launching in 2025, are already being made at the BMW Group’s Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf, just east of Munich. The CMCC was built to complement the Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in the north of the city, where development work is carried out. The CMCC scales up the best product for series production. Product and process are uniquely interlinked by the close collaboration across divisions, between Development, Purchasing and Production. The BMW Group operates further pre-series plants and pilot lines for future high-voltage batteries in Munich and the nearby towns of Parsdorf and Hallbergmoos.

Munich. The BMW Startup Garage and the Munich-based company DeepDrive are set to road-test a revolutionary electric motor. The concept features dual rotor technology and is expected to enable super-efficient, powerful drives that offer plenty of range. After a successful pilot project with promising results on the test rig, the BMW Group and DeepDrive are now planning their first field test. Various versions of the new drive will be installed into BMW Group models and their handling tested out on the road.

DeepDrive’s innovative concept more or less melds two electric motors into a single unit, creating an extremely compact drive that’s energy-efficient and has a high torque density. In a conventional electric motor, the stator moves either an internal or an external rotor; with DeepDrive’s dual rotor concept, the stator drives both rotors simultaneously. The compact design and light weight of the unit allow for an in-wheel drive system, in which each wheel hub has its own electric motor. The technology can also be used in a traditional, centralised drive system, where a central motor block powers the vehicle.

BMW values the maturity level and scalability potential of the DeepDrive innovation.
BMW was the first major manufacturer to discover DeepDrive and has been intensifying collaborations with them since the IAA 2021. Their technology is already remarkably mature: “DeepDrive’s prototype parts largely exceeded our specifications,” says Karol Virsik, Head of Research Vehicle Concepts and Technologies at the BMW Group. “That’s really unusual at such an early stage and with a completely new technology.”

After a stint on the test rig, the proof of concept was deemed successful, delivering top results. The next step is to perform a real-world validation out on the road. The in-wheel motors will require less space and be more energy-efficient, lighter and less costly, making them an attractive option for a wide range of vehicle models and potentially highly scalable. “DeepDrive has developed an exciting vision for the electric drive of the future,” said Virsik. “The Startup Garage allows us to experiment with DeepDrive and work out what drives might look like in the generation after next.”

DeepDrive is now collaborating with other manufacturers and major suppliers as well, such as Continental. In 2024, their motor concept was honoured with the German Innovation Award. “Collaborating with BMW gave us a springboard really early on,” said Felix Pörnbacher, co-founder and co-CEO of DeepDrive. “It helped us navigate the complex corporate world and meet and exceed the rigorous standards of the automotive industry. Our goal now is to get it integrated into a production model.”

Collaborating with startups accelerates innovations at the BMW Group.
The BMW Startup Garage operates as a venture client, implementing groundbreaking technologies developed by startups and enhancing the BMW Group’s capabilities in innovation, sustainability and operational performance. The venture client model was established in 2015, with BMW acting as a customer and working closely with young companies to develop their technologies. “The BMW Startup Garage is an excellent opportunity to connect with startups. We then carry on working with the best of them,” said Virsik. “Startups are really important to us because they think unconventionally and out-of-the-box. They give us new perspectives.”

Munich/Basel. Hydrogen as a sustainable source of energy and movement is the central theme of BMW's program at this year's Art Basel in Basel. BMW, which has been a partner of Art Basel for 20 years, has commissioned London-based artist Es Devlin to create a series of multi-media works which will be unveiled on 10 June. In Hall 1.1 of the art fair Devlin has created a booth displaying four works: Surfacing (2024), Surfacing II (2024), Mask (2018), and Mask in Motion (2018). As an opening chapter, Devlin and BMW also present a series of mobile sound installations within a pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles* which have been enveloped in prints of Devlin’s collaged paintings. Passengers are invited to listen in on the artist’s conversation with BMW engineers about the potential of hydrogen.

“The works on innovation and mobility created by Es Devlin for Art Basel offer an impressive example of how technology can serve as inspiration for art,” says Michael Rath, Head of Hydrogen Vehicles, BMW Group. “We are very proud of the radiance of the BMW Group's pioneering hydrogen technology.”

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen: Pioneer and trailblazer of BMW’s technological expertise.
As a versatile energy source, hydrogen will play a key role in the energy transition and thus in climate protection. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen combines the advantages of locally emission-free electric drive with the driving pleasure typical of the brand. Another advantage: the quick and uncomplicated refuelling process. The company is currently testing the vehicle with hydrogen fuel cell technology in selected countries under everyday conditions. The world tour of the pilot fleet will now make a stop at Art Basel 2024, where the innovative hydrogen vehicles will be available as a shuttle service.

For the BMW Group, the pilot project is an expression of its open-technology approach to the mobility of tomorrow. The hydrogen fuel cell technology provides an additional supplement to battery-electric drive systems.

The powertrain of the vehicle developed on the basis of the BMW X5 consists of an innovative combination of fuel cells with an output of 125 kW/170 hp, which uses energy from gaseous hydrogen to drive an electric motor from the BMW Group's Gen 5 programme together with a specially developed battery. This generates a maximum system output of 285 kW/401 hp. The hydrogen tanks of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen can be refuelled within three to four minutes and enable a range of 504 kilometres according to the WLTP test cycle.

Es Devlin to create a series of multi-media works which will be unveiled on 10 June at Art Basel in Basel 2024.
In Hall 1.1 of the art fair Devlin has created a booth displaying four works: Surfacing (2024), an illuminated cube of rain penetrated by a line of light and Surfacing II (2024), a pair of painted televisions in which a dancing figure appears to displace pixels and pigment, are flanked by Mask (2018) a projection-mapped model city fusing hands and river, and Mask in Motion (2018) a revolving illuminated translucent printed city which meshes viewers within its kinetic shadow.

Each work continues Devlin's 30 year exploration of the entangled dance between humans and technology. The booth surprises visitors each hour as Surfacing's box of rain, like a magician's apparatus, conjures a 7 minute dance work by renowned Paris-based choreographer Sharon Eyal with music composed by London-based duo Polyphonia. 

A meeting of artist and engineers.
Devlin has spent the past year engaging with engineers at BMW, learning the mechanics behind the hydrogen fuel cell technology and its implications for the future of sustainable energy systems. As an opening chapter to the works on view in Hall 1.1, she has created a simple soundscape drawn from their conversations and underscored by composers Polyphonia which is played to guests in the pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles.

Devlin says: “I learned from the BMW engineers the beautiful symmetry of the system at work within the hydrogen fuel cell: the energy that is used to separate hydrogen atoms from oxygen is recreated when the oxygen is reunited with hydrogen within the car. The by-product is not only the energy which propels the vehicle, but water.”

The exterior of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen has been wrapped in a painted blue and white collage in which Devlin overlays paintings and text made in response to the prints and literature which populated her wall and bookshelves as a teenager. Painted gestures echoing the 1831 woodcut ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’ by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, are superimposed over hand written extracts from literature’s longest sentence about water drawn from James Joyce’s seminal novel ‘Ulysses’. Underlying the collage are excerpts from BMW Group publications on hydrogen fuel cell technology.

SURFACING.
Visitors can sign up to book their seat at the hourly rituals here.
Thursday, 13 June - Sunday, 16 June 2024
Art Basel in Basel, Hall 1.1
Messeplatz 10, 4005 Basel, Switzerland

San Luis Potosí. BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí is gearing up for production of the Neue Klasse: Construction of a local high-voltage battery assembly has now begun, along with expansion projects for the body shop, assembly and logistics areas. A total of 800 million euros will be invested in expanding the Mexican production site.

The Neue Klasse will also be produced in Mexico from 2027 onwards. The Sports Activity Vehicle model will be launched at the new BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Hungary as the initial derivative of the Neue Klasse in late 2025, while the Sedan will ramp up in Munich in 2026. Just one year later, additional production capacity will be available in Mexico – initially, for the Sports Activity Vehicle. The future high-voltage battery assembly at Plant San Luis Potosí, covering an area of more than 80,000 square metres, is key to integrating the Neue Klasse at the production site.

“The battery assembly in San Luis Potosí will be part of our global production network. For our new sixth-generation e-drive alone, we are building five locations on three continents,” explained Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production, at the start of construction in Mexico. The BMW Group is committed to the “local for local” principle worldwide. “Locating battery factories close to vehicle manufacturing makes production more resilient.”

Close links between battery factory and vehicle production

In line with its “local for local” principle, the BMW Group locates its high-voltage battery assembly facilities worldwide as close as possible to its vehicle plants. In addition to the location in San Luis Potosí, assembly sites for sixth-generation high-voltage batteries are also being built in Debrecen (Hungary), Shenyang (China), Woodruff, near Spartanburg (USA) and Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Lower Bavaria). This approach safeguards production, even in the event of unforeseen political and economic developments. Existing locations are also being strengthened, securing jobs. The short distances involved reduce the carbon footprint of vehicle production.

The BMW Group will use its newly developed round cells for the first time in the Neue Klasse. This leap in technology will boost the energy density of cells by 20 percent and improve charging speed by up to 30 percent. Range will be extended by 30 percent. 

Further development of Plant San Luis Potosí

As well as integrating battery assembly, other changes are being made at Plant San Luis Potosí: Just under 20,000 square metres will be added to the body shop, resulting in a total area of over 90,000 square metres. Assembly and logistics areas are also being expanded by almost 10,000 square metres.

“With this further development of our site, we are also gearing up in Mexico for the launch of the next BMW model generation. As the first premium OEM producing fully-electric vehicles and high-voltage batteries in Mexico, we are at the forefront of our industry and, at the same time, continuing to reduce our environmental footprint,” said Harald Gottsche, president and CEO of BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí.

Photovoltaic output to double

When it comes to efficient energy supplies, the BMW Group uses site-specific solutions at its locations around the world. “In Mexico, we are planning to expand the photovoltaic systems within the plant, to double the output from the solar panels,” said Nicole Haft-Zboril, Head of Real Estate Management at the BMW Group. “The plan is to generate more than 20 percent of the electricity we need at the moment – directly on the factory premises.” The wastewater treatment plant has also been expanded, with an investment of 3.3 million euros significantly increasing the reuse of treated wastewater.

Extensive skills development programme

BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí is also stepping up its commitment to skills development, aimed at ensuring employees are highly qualified and prepared for the challenges of the future. Training will include topics such as safety awareness around production of high-voltage systems and the use of robotics in manufacturing processes.

The BMW Group plant in San Luis Potosí started production in 2019. Around 3,700 employees currently produce the BMW 3 Series Sedan as well as the BMW 2 Series Coupé and the BMW M2 models for the global market.

Landshut. BMW Group Plant Landshut is continuing to ramp up production capacity – by expanding the manufacturing facilities for the central housing of the highly integrated electric drive unit to be fitted in Neue Klasse models. The BMW Group is investing a further €200 million to this end, bringing the total channelled into the German factory site since 2020 to around €1 billion.

Of this, some €500 million has been used for the plant’s expansion to cover electric mobility. Annual production capacity for fifth-generation and sixth-generation aluminium housings increases by around 30 percent. The new model generation will therefore benefit from the know-how of the company’s largest component manufacturing site.

“We are continuously expanding our site’s expertise in both the production of our cutting-edge components and the development of new technologies,” says Thomas Thym, Head of BMW Group Plant Landshut. “This skill set provides us with the flexibility we are going to need in the future.” Manufacturing the central housing for the sixth-generation drive technology in the Neue Klasse represents a further step in the plant’s transformation to electric mobility.

A brand new production hall is currently being built that will be spread over three levels. In future, production will take place here on two production lines covering an area of 12,000 square metres using the pioneering injector casting process. Injector casting ensures that parts are cast with optimum mechanical properties. It has the additional effect of shortening the cycle time and, as a result, reducing energy consumption considerably while also cutting carbon emissions due to the lower casting temperature. This method results in reduced consumption of resources too as it requires less return material.

In January of this year, the BMW Group purchased a plot of land directly adjacent to Plant Landshut that is about 30,000 square metres in size and has been earmarked for further expansion of production in the future. This strategic acquisition is a key element in the plant’s ability to respond to future demand. A final decision on how exactly the new land is to be used will be made at a later date. 

3D printing technology for large-scale production of complex sand cores
Besides the major expansion of production space in the light metal foundry, the plant is also investing in a state-of-the-art technology for manufacturing its sand cores. These sand cores are deployed in six different cylinder head variants for production of BMW engines worldwide. The plant makes up to 4,500 units on 17 printers daily in a large-scale 3D printing process. The sand cores are moulded by printing them layer by layer on a print head system using emission-free and environment-friendly inorganic binders.

Ongoing training programme forms backbone for transformation
A broad-based training initiative is being put in place to accompany the site’s gradual transformation. In order to meet future technological needs, the plant is focusing primarily on skills in the areas of robotics, quality and process management, electrical and electronic analysis, maintenance and logistics.

Anna Sponsel, Head of Human Resources at BMW Group Plant Landshut, says: “I am convinced that targeted training modules are exactly what we need to address the changing skill requirements in our industry and counter the shortage of specialist workers.” One such module is a twelve-month electrics and electronics retraining course to qualify as an industrial electrician, which the company is offering to both internal employees and external applicants who take up a position with the BMW Group. Since last year, Plant Landshut has also been setting new standards with its own quality management dual study programme. 17 students per year can commence their dual programme of studies at Plant Landshut and then complete them over the course of national and international assignments.

Last year, Plant Landshut recruited more than 250 new employees and currently has a workforce of around 3,700 people. During 2024, the region’s largest employer is again set to take on hundreds of new people, focusing mainly on temporary employees who are already working at the site.

Production volumes last year 
As well as manufacturing components for the company’s all-electric models, Plant Landshut also stands out with its highly flexible production system. The site in Lower Bavaria continues to manufacture propeller shafts, crankcases, cylinder heads and engines on a demand-driven basis for the efficient ICE models in the product portfolio. 

In 2023, BMW Group Plant Landshut produced a total of around 3.6 million cast components, 430,000 plastic components for vehicle exteriors, over 300,000 CFRP parts, 286,000 cockpits, 1.4 million propeller shafts and 20,000 special engines. Cockpits for the BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series, BMW 7 Series and BMW iX and instrument panels in base, artificial leather, leather, microfibre and fabric trim are made in Landshut, together with structural components, roofs and bonnets made from CFRP, glove compartments, bumpers, spoilers and trim elements.

As well as Plant Landshut, the BMW Group’s in-house component manufacturing network also includes the facilities in Dingolfing, Wackersdorf, Munich, Leipzig, Berlin and Shenyang (China). Together these supply components to the company’s Digital, Powertrain, Driving, Exterior & Interior and High-voltage battery & Charging technology clusters. Purchasing, Development and Production work closely with one another to ensure the transfer of technology within the company when it comes to product, development and manufacturing innovations.

São Paulo/Munich. The BMW Group is strengthening its involvement in Brazil by electrifying the Araquari plant. Following a historic sales record for electrified vehicles in Brazil last year, the BMW Group is announcing local production of the BMW X5, the very first premium plug-in hybrid model built in South America. The technologically advanced and powerful vehicle is produced at the BMW Group plant in Araquari in addition to the BMW X1, BMW X3 and BMW X4 as well as the BMW 3 Series for the local market.

“At the BMW Group, production follows market demand. Last year, BMW Group Brazil achieved a record of 25% share of electrified vehicles within the sales mix. In addition, the BMW X5 was the third-best model of the entire BMW line-up in Brazil. It is a logical conclusion for us to announce the production of the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid in Brazil now,” says Michael Nikolaides, Head of Production Network and Logistics at BMW Group. “We are committed to technology openness. In this context, PHEVs are and will remain an important part of our offering. Now, for the first time, we are bringing this technology to a South American production facility. The BMW Group plant in Araquari has a flexible production line. I am proud to say that Plant Araquari will be the only one to produce ICE, PHEV, and Flex-fuel models in the whole BMW Group production network. Depending on market demand, we can get ready to produce hybrid or electric models in a short period of time. In the next step, we will build PHEV and ICE vehicles on one line.”

Since 2014, the BMW Group has been manufacturing for the local market in Araquari, Brazil, in the state of Santa Catarina. The Araquari plant has its own Body Shop, Paint Shop, Assembly, Quality and Logistic processes. Along with a BMW Group Engineering Office, which is part of the plant’s facilities. In December 2023, the BMW Group announced a 10% increase in production at the Araquari plant from 2024 to reach an annual production of 11,000 units. In addition, the workforce is being consistently increased and trained to produce electrified vehicles.

Munich. BMW Neue Klasse models scheduled for launch in 2025 will be able to store electricity and function as a power outlet. They are equipped with technology for bidirectional charging – i.e. the ability to both accept and supply electricity.

With the latest design studies, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse sedan and the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X SAV, the BMW Group is showing what the next generation of core vehicles from the BMW brand will look like. They represent the range of technological innovations with which the company is showcasing its future viability.

With the world premiere of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, BMW is now announcing another innovation set to enter production: the ability to charge bidirectionally. This technology makes it possible to use the high-voltage battery of an all-electric vehicle as an energy storage device and to return the cached electricity to either your own household supply or the power grid at a later stage.

This makes it even easier for BMW customers to actively contribute to the energy transition and promotes the sustainable generation and use of renewable energy. Functions such as “Vehicle to Home”, “Vehicle to Grid” and “Vehicle to Load” will therefore be available to BMW customers for the first time. This move also underlines the ongoing expansion of the BMW Group Charging offer.

 “We are constantly improving our range of charging products and services in order to maximise the benefit to the customer,” says Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Development. “Starting this summer, we will be offering cost-optimised charging together with our partner E.ON in a number of markets. And with the Neue Klasse we will be taking the next step: bidirectional charging. Vehicle to Home and Vehicle to Grid, all fully integrated into our comprehensive charging ecosystem – BMW Connected Home Charging. Using the vehicle, the My BMW App, the BMW backend – plus a BMW DC Wallbox Professional and their photovoltaic system, customers will be able to control the energy flow in such a way that home charging is possible off grid at times. And, of course, they will also be able to lower their charging costs by feeding the electricity stored in their BMW back into the power grid.” 

Vehicle to Home: electricity for your household
In the technology’s initial stage, bidirectional charging will enable customers to essentially use their vehicle’s high-voltage battery as a stationary energy storage device. Here, the carbon-neutral electricity generated by the customer’s photovoltaic system is temporarily stored in the vehicle’s battery with the help of the BMW DC Wallbox Professional and then subsequently fed back to power other consumers in the home, making the customer independent from the external power grid for a time and reducing their energy costs.

Vehicle to Grid: feeding into the network

The second stage of bidirectional charging will allow customers to make a portion of their battery’s capacity available externally. This energy capacity can be used for both charging from the grid and discharging electricity into it at appropriate times. Access to the energy market is provided by BMW cooperation partner E.ON. To do this, customers will need the dynamic electricity tariff from E.ON, who will manage the charging process together with the BMW backend to enable revenue generation from the energy exchange. 
This function will only become available in the various markets once the necessary regulatory measures have been adopted.

Vehicle to Load: the car as a power bank

The vehicle to Load function allows energy stored in the vehicle to be used for powering external electrical equipment. This means the Neue Klasse can double as a form of mobile power bank for charging an e-bike, for example, or supplying energy to electrical equipment while camping.

Regardless of which type of bidirectional charging is used, the customer's desire for mobility always comes first. This is ensured by intuitive and easy operation in the My BMW App, which can be used to control the entire BMW Connected Home Charging ecosystem.

Accelerating the energy transition

Bidirectional charging not only ensures greater supply security. By both accepting and supplying electricity, electric vehicles can make a significant contribution to the share of electricity consumption coming from renewable sources. Using the storage capacities provided by high-voltage batteries allows supply and demand in the area of green electricity to be better coordinated. For example, electric vehicle storage systems can selectively absorb peak wind and solar energy generation and release the electricity again during periods of low generation (night, lulls) in supply. This makes it possible to reduce the start-up of fossil power plants and their emissions during such periods. In this way, electric mobility is becoming an ever more integral part of the energy revolution. With bidirectional charging, CO₂ emissions can be reduced both in the area of mobility and in power generation overall.

Munich / California: The North American Advanced Technology Battery Trade Association (NAATBatt) has presented Dr. Peter Lamp with the organisation’s Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual conference.

This award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of battery technologies over the course of their career on either a business, technological or regulatory level. Previous award winners have included Dr. John Goodenough, Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham and
Dr. Akira Yoshino, who received the Nobel Prize for their contributions to the development of the lithium-ion battery, as well as Robin Zeng, Chairman of CATL.

The recipients of the annual awards are chosen by the association’s Board of Directors, comprising over 60 world-renowned battery experts and representatives from the battery industry. Peter Lamp has worked at the BMW Group for 23 years and has been a formative influence in the field of battery cell technology at BMW since 2008. Today he is one of the company’s foremost cell technology experts.

“Having Peter in our ranks and being able to benefit from his exceptional expertise and passion is something very special for me. We sincerely congratulate Peter and thank him and his team for their contribution to our success. The deep expertise we have in battery cell development makes the difference now and in the future — I am convinced of that.” says Dr. Florian Preuß, Senior VP High-Voltage Battery and Charging.

Peter Lamp adds: “Winning this award in the USA is without doubt one of the highlights of my career. Even on such occasions, however, one should never forget that it is always a team effort. We have always strived to actively shape the global development of technology. In so doing, we ensure that the very best technology makes its way into our products, where it can impress and delight BMW drivers all over the world.”

The BMW eDrive technology fitted in the BMW Group’s electrified models today is now in its fifth generation, which is testament to the development progress achieved since the BMW i3 launched in 2013. The arrival of the Neue Klasse models in 2025 will mark the debut of the sixth-generation tech, which will bring further major advances in terms of all customer-relevant characteristics, such as range and charging time.

Rayong, Thailand. After a joint ground-breaking ceremony with Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production, representatives of the Thai government and the German ambassador to #Thailand Ernst Reichel, construction work is underway for the BMW Group’s own local manufacturing facility for Gen-5 high-voltage batteries. With that, the BMW Group is readying yet another production facility to manufacture fully electric vehicles, with local #BEV production scheduled to start in the second half of 2025.

“Local production of high-voltage batteries in #Rayong is the next logical step in the continued electrification of our production network. Once again, the principle of ‘local for local’ applies, supporting economic development, employment opportunities and knowledge transfer in Thailand and the ASEAN region,” said Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, at the ground-breaking ceremony.

The forthcoming high-voltage battery assembly facility will have a footprint of 4,000 square metres and is an important addition to the business activities of BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand. The new assembly line will convert imported battery cells into modules that will then be integrated into high-voltage batteries. The BMW Group has invested more than 1.6 billion baht (approx. 42 million euros) in the project, a significant share of which – almost 1.4 billion baht (approx. 36 million euros) – will be used to buy state-of-the-art equipment and systems.

The BMW Group has been producing high-voltage batteries in Thailand for locally made plug-in hybrids since 2019. Plant Rayong manufactures around two dozen BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad models for the Thai as well as various ASEAN markets. In 2023 output totalled more than 12,000 cars and almost 11,000 motorcycles.

Comprehensive training programme

Employees will undergo comprehensive training programmes, which will be delivered in the global production network with the aim of improving the technical skills of local staff through knowledge transfer. The investment in professional training and development also underscores the BMW Group’s commitment to advancing the Thai economy.

Joint education programme with UNICEF – also in Thailand

As well as developing its own workforce, the BMW Group is very much involved in boosting industry in Thailand and the global transition to mobility solutions that help conserve resources. This year it is collaborating with UNICEF in Thailand to improve career opportunities for young people through a targeted STEM education programme, training and careers advice.

Leipzig. Electrification continues at BMW Group Plant Leipzig: Four months after launching production of the combustion-engined MINI Countryman, the all-electric version is now rolling off the lines at Leipzig as well. After phasing out production of the BMW i3, the birthplace of electric mobility at the BMW Group has welcomed another fully electric car to its range. It now manufactures four models with three drive types by two brands, all on a single production line: the BMW 1 Series, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (including the plug-in hybrid version), the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the MINI Countryman in both its fully electric and combustion-powered versions.

The MINI Countryman Electric represents a major step in the MINI brand’s transition to full electrification by 2030 and combines an electrified go-kart feel with zero local emissions mobility. It comes in two fully electric variants: the Countryman E (150 kW, 204 hp | electricity consumption 17.4 – 15.7 kWh/100 km | CO2 emissions 0 g/km) and the more powerful all-wheel Countryman SE ALL4 (230 kW, 313 hp | electricity consumption 18.5 – 16.8 kWh/100 km | CO2 emissions 0 g/km).  

Consistent plant upgrades and flexible production system

To enable production of up to 350,000 units a year – 100,000 more than previously – Plant Leipzig has been continuously upgraded since 2018, with extensive additions and upgrades to the bodyshop, paintshop, assembly and logistics. “Our cars and components are very much in demand. In recent years the BMW Group has invested around 1.6 billion euros in the Leipzig site to produce additional vehicles and electric components, and now we’re increasing vehicle volumes too – which is great news for our plant,” said Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director.

The main driver behind the volume increase is the MINI Countryman. During the course of 2024, output will rise to almost 500 units a day – on top of the 800 or so BMW vehicles the plant is producing. What’s more, thanks to its flexible production system, Plant Leipzig is in a position to respond quickly to customer demand, for example by increasing the share of fully electric vehicles.

Flexible assembly structures also meant the MINI Countryman Electric could be integrated seamlessly into production. The situation is similar with the different drive units, which are all produced on one and the same line in aggregate assembly and prepared for what’s known as “marriage” with the body. The e-drives, transmissions and control electronics (collectively known as the highly integrated electric drive topology, or HEAT) for the two all-electric models are connected directly in the plant. A new production line was required only for the control electronics.

More staff and nightshifts for increased production volume

Higher production volume means secure employment and up to 900 additional employees in vehicle production alone. By the end of 2024, Plant Leipzig will employ around 7,000 BMW staff. Working hours will need to be adjusted in all technologies, with nightshifts in assembly starting for the first time in September of this year and cars being produced round the clock in three shifts.

“Plant Leipzig first went on stream in 2005 with about 2,600 employees in production. 19 years later there are over 7,000. Over the years, the plant has grown steadily and considerably. The start of nightshifts in assembly represents another important milestone in the success story of our plant and is a clear show of confidence by our company in our site here in Leipzig,” emphasised Works Council Chairman Jens Köhler.

Made at Plant Leipzig: high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric

With the production launch of the MINI Countryman Electric, all three stages of the Gen 5 high-voltage battery production process are now represented at BMW Group Plant Leipzig: cell coating, module production and battery assembly. Operations in all three are currently ramping up, with five cell-coating, three module-production and two high-voltage battery-production lines now in place.

“We are in the middle of the transformation to e-mobility,” said Markus Fallböhmer, Head of Battery Production at the BMW Group. “Starting this year, Plant Leipzig will carry out every stage of our in-house high-voltage battery production process. It’s our next great step forwards.”

Plant Leipzig’s e-component production capacity has been increasing since 2021. It will now manufacture not just the high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric but also e-components for the BMW iX1, BMW iX2, BMW i4, BMW i5 and BMW iX made at other sites. The e-component production unit at Leipzig currently employs some 1,000 people.

To enable production of high-voltage batteries, spaces previously used for the BMW i3 and BMW i8 have been converted and new buildings added. One of them is a new hall with a footprint of about 61,000 m². This houses two lines capable of producing up to 300,000 high-voltage batteries a year. The BMW Group has invested over 900 million euros in e-component production at Plant Leipzig to date.

Resource-saving painting processes

At launch, the fully electric MINI Countryman comes in three additional body colours: British Racing Green, Chili Red and Blazing Blue – and with MINI’s trademark contrast roof, if desired. This is painted using a new overspray-free method that saves resources and is currently being readied for series operation. The term “overspray” refers to the mist of excess paint particles that forms when bodies are painted the conventional way. With the new technique, this mist no longer occurs. This makes it easier to paint in multiple colours as the laborious process of masking is no longer required. Overspray-free painting also helps save CO₂ emissions, as exhaust from the cabin requires less cleansing. In addition, it requires considerably less conditioned air, i.e. air that is brought to the exact temperature and humidity required for painting. As a result, less energy is needed to temper air and treat exhaust.

The burner technology used to dry the paint on contrast roofs was also converted for the start of MINI Countryman production and now consists of a bivalent system. The fuel-flexible burners can run on hydrogen (H2) as well as gas (methane, CH4) and even switch between the two while in operation. Five such bivalent hydrogen-capable burners are used to produce the contrast roofs for the MINI Countryman.

Further burners in the paintshop will also gradually switch to bivalent operations, with the next six hydrogen-capable burners just installed. This makes Leipzig a pioneer in the automotive industry and takes it ever closer to lower CO₂ emissions. “Our vision at Plant Leipzig is to decarbonise production as far as possible by replacing fossil fuels with green hydrogen,” said Petra Peterhänsel, explaining the long-term focus of the facility. This will require sufficient green hydrogen from a grid. A regional hydrogen grid is currently in planning, with Plant Leipzig set to benefit.

Steyr, Austria. The new halls for future e-drive production reached completion at the BMW Group site in Steyr. Construction began in September 2022, with the topping-out ceremony taking place exactly one year later. With some 60,000 square metres of production space, the 105 by 150-metre building was erected to a tight schedule. But now it’s standing. “The construction and installation of this production facility for Neue Klasse e-drives is running totally to plan. Now comes the next important stage, which is no less ambitious than the construction of the halls themselves,” explained Helmut Hochsteiner, head of electric drives at the BMW Group site in Steyr.

Approx. 300 items of plant and equipment worth over 500 million euros

Over the next few months, around 300 items of plant and equipment – many made to specification – will need to be installed, ready for pre-series production to launch as planned in July of this year. “The 300 machines are all shapes and sizes, from small, individual items to the over 30 metre-long ‘marriage’ station. Here, four robots and other systems will work in concert to fit the transmission to the main motor,” said Hochsteiner.

Klaus von Moltke, Senior Vice President of Engine Production at BMW AG and Plant Director of Steyr, outlined the economic dimensions of the project: “We are investing a total of more than 500 million euros in plant and equipment for Steyr, offering further confirmation of the BMW Group’s commitment to the site. Series production of e-drives for the Neue Klasse is scheduled for launch in the autumn of 2025.”

The first piece of plant was brought into the new assembly hall in the end of January. The ‘inaugural inhabitant’ is a crane that will lift power electronics components from the first floor – where inverter will be assembled in a clean-room – down to final assembly on the ground floor. Once the electronic parts have arrived, the inverter and e-drive will be ‘married’.

By 2030 the BMW Group will invest some 1 billion euros in total in e-drive production at its Steyr facility. The plant will manufacture over 600,000 e-drives a year alongside diesel and petrol units. Production of these will remain high as well, with combustion engines forming an important part of Steyr’s product portfolio well into the future.

Munich. A new era is dawning for BMW Group Plant Munich: from 2026, the iconic parent plant will produce the Neue Klasse sedan. Just one year later, the factory will manufacture nothing but all-electric models, making the Munich plant the first location in the BMW Group’s existing production network to have successfully completed the transformation to E-mobility from the end of 2027.

“The Munich plant is an excellent example of our ability to adapt. We are investing € 650 million here and will produce exclusively all-electric vehicles in our parent plant from the end of 2027,” says Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production. “Last year alone, six all-electric models went into production. At the same time, we also set a production record, proving that we are simultaneously able to both deliver and shape the future in our production network.”

Peter Weber, Director BMW Group Plant Munich, adds: “Munich is the beating heart of BMW. The plant in Munich is innovative and adaptable. As in the 1960s, a Neue Klasse is again laying the foundation, on which our plant is reinventing itself. The fact that this comprehensive transformation is taking place at the same time as roughly 1,000 vehicles per day are currently being manufactured is common practice in Munich and is possible thanks to the outstanding performance of all our employees. We are delighted to be guiding the Munich plant into a fully-electric future – starting with the Neue Klasse sedan.”

Smooth transition to electromobility, as the era of combustion automobiles from Munich ends in 2027

BMW Group Plant Munich is a prime example of the fluent transition to the era of electromobility. In 2015, the first plug-in hybrid models from the BMW 3 Series were manufactured on the same production line as combustion vehicles. In 2021, the BMW i4 became the first all-electric vehicle to be produced on the same production line. Nowadays, every second vehicle that rolls off the production line has an all-electric drive system.

From 2026, production of the Neue Klasse in the Munich plant will initially run parallel to production of current models. A good year later, from the end of 2027, the BMW Group’s parent plant will be the first existing site in the global production network to manufacture exclusively all-electric vehicles, having been transformed accordingly. As such, the era of vehicles with combustion engines in Munich will draw to a close 75 years after the launch of the BMW 501 in 1952.

After the start in the new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, and in Munich, the Neue Klasse vehicles will also be produced in Shenyang, China, and San Luis Potosí in Mexico.

Extensive modifications offer long-term security for location

Over the course of a history stretching back more than 100 years, BMW Group Plant Munich has undergone many changes and repeatedly reinvented itself. Together with the conversion from manufacturing aircraft engines to automobile construction, the successful introduction of the Neue Klasse in the 1960s is a milestone in the list of changes throughout the company’s history.

At the moment, multiple large construction sites are evidence of the turnaround, as they pave the way for the arrival of the Neue Klasse from 2026. The € 650 million of investment comprises four buildings, including a new vehicle assembly line with logistics areas and a new body shop.

In order to create the space within the limited floor space at the plant in the heart of Munich, the traditional engine manufacturing has been moved to Hams-Hall in Great Britain and Steyr in Austria after roughly 70 years at the parent plant. 1,200 employees have been trained for different production strategies in Munich or have taken up employment at other locations in the production network.

As in the 1960s and all other changes since, the current transformation of BMW Group Plant Munich is taking place whilst production is still ongoing. Regardless of the construction work, roughly 1,000 cars roll off the production line every day, including BMW 3 Series and the BMW i4 – all on the same assembly line.

The extensive reorientation of the plant secures a long-term future for the site in Munich, and is also a significant investment in Bavaria as an industrial location.

Digitalisation at the Munich plant in accordance with the principles of BMW iFACTORY

The principles of BMW iFACTORY guarantee the utmost flexibility, excellent processes and outstanding integrability at all sites within the BMW Group – from the completely new plant in Debrecen to the parent plant in Munich, which is over 100 years old and at which the transformation is in full swing. BMW iFACTORY is synonymous with the superb production expertise throughout the entire production network. One important aspect is a comprehensive digitalisation with a holistic approach to the interaction between people, processes and systems. It optimises processes and supports employees with their work. The implementation takes place in three areas: data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtualisation.

Q: Mr. Lamp, we are here at the BCCC – close to the FIZ. Everything looks very much like a High-Tech Research Facility. Where does the BMW Group stand in terms of Battery Tech today?
I believe we are in a very good position. Like you said - we are here in our BCCC – close to the FIZ and we just opened our CMCC (Cell Manufacturing Competence Center) in Parsdorf. Combining BCCC for research and development of cell technology and CMCC for understanding and establishing the industrialization of the cell production with our experts from all over the world working there, bring us on eye level with the best battery cell producing companies in the world. Remembering our beginnings in 2008 with our first MINI Cooper BEV prototype – we have come a long way.

…and why do you think you were able to make it to this level of expertise?
I strongly believe that we have found the right strategy for BMW very early. And this strategy is rather simple: Develop the in-house competence in both critical fields: battery cell technology and large-scale battery production as fast and consequent as possible. And by doing this, enable BMW to put the best battery into their electrified vehicles.

Q: Mr. Vandeputte, after more than 25 years at Umicore you just started at BMW Group – what is your perspective on the BMW Battery Strategy?
When I was at Umicore we appreciated collaborating with BMW on battery technology, because of the clear strategy focusing on deep understanding and mastering of cell technology and cell production, as this is really the core of the automotive battery business.
Looking at the challenges an OEM faces today by the transformation of the industry – and taking into account the BMW promise to deliver the Ultimate Driving Machine to its customer: I believe the BMW approach is very convincing and clear.

Q3: And the step from a “material tech company” to a German Premium Car manufacturer – how does it feel?
It actually feels really good and energizing. Being part of this iconic BMW family is an honor and the very welcoming attitude of everybody for sure helps as well. Looking at the projects ahead the objectives are exciting and challenging at the same time. Whether our focus is battery performance, cost-competitiveness lowest environmental impact or a combination of these, we need to find optimal interplay of all materials in the cell, so this is back to active materials that I know well. And I worked in a very international, technology-driven environment at Umicore - and the same is true for my new role here at BMW.

Q: Mr. Lamp, talking about projects and challenges: what is the next big step customers can expect from BMW electrified powertrains?
A very significant step will come in our NEUE KLASSE models in 2025. This will be the starting point of what we call our Gen6 eDrive technology. At the heart of this technology will be our new cylindrical cell: 20 percent more volumetric energy density, 30 percent faster charging, 30 percent more range compared to the respective model featuring Gen5 technology.

…but changing from a prismatic cell in Gen5 to a cylindrical cell in Gen6 is a significant move: what triggered this decision?
At the beginning of the process we really started from a white sheet of paper and open to all cell formats and sizes. But with the ambitious performance and safety goals we soon came to the conclusion, that the cylindrical cell is the best format for our next generation. Also it fits best our integration approach for the NEUE KLASSE: cell to pack and pack to open body.

Q: Mr. Vandeputte, ASSB is often considered “the next big thing”. Where does BMW stand? What is the potential of the technology?
I believe we are on a very good path. With our partner Solid Power we are establishing a new process development line in our CMCC in Parsdorf. On this line we will work – in parallel to our partner in the US – on the next steps to bring this advanced battery technology in the car. This line will be up and running in Q2 of 2024. The potential of the technology is there: higher energy densities paired with at least equal safety as today.
But realistically speaking we will need some more years to mature the technology and make it ready for industrialization – not before the end of the decade.

Q: Looking at the automotive battery landscape today – very often new trends or even innovations are discussed in the media. How do you keep up with all developments?
KV: This is actually a very good point – and at the same time something that I have watched BMW doing for years: the close connection from the BMW battery team to the Start-Up scene as well as universities – this is in my opinion a very strong asset and an absolute necessity to be and stay a technology leader.

PL: I agree, and let me add: I believe it is a very strong asset in two ways. First, it ensures that we as BMW are in the loop in all new trends, findings and developments. And secondly, it helps us to find the best talents in the industry – this is one of many reasons why we are very optimistic regarding BMW battery cell technology in the coming years.

Gentlemen, thank you very much for this conversation.

In the event of enquiries please contact:
BMW Group Corporate Communications

Bernhard Ederer
Communication BMW Group Innovation, Powertrain Technologies
Mobile: +49-176-601-28556
E-Mail: Bernhard.Ederer@bmwgroup.com

Almut Stollberg
Head of Communication BMW Group Innovation, Design, Technology, Digital Car
Mobile: +49-151-601-96543
E-Mail: Almut.Stollberg@bmw.com