BMW accelerates development of solid-state batteries with American and Korean partners

Although the US government has been reluctant to electrify vehicles this year, innovation in the field of zero emissions is advancing, with BMW joining the development of solid-state batteries in collaboration with US company Solid Power and Korea's Samsung SDI.

The solid-state battery replaces liquid electrolyte with a solid material, which brings greater safety, lower weight, longer life and better performance. Solid Power will supply Samsung SDI with sulfide electrolyte for battery cell production, and BMW is planning a demonstration vehicle.

Solid Power, a spin-off from the University of Colorado, uses a thin layer of sulfide material as both a separator and electrolyte. The formula is based on common natural resources like pyrite, which makes it easier to manufacture.

While some manufacturers, such as QuantumScape, are betting on ceramics, Toyota and Stellantis see advantages in sulfides, especially for mass production. Stellantis is working with Factorial Energy, which is developing the Solstice electrolyte.

The US is looking at ways to extract lithium, nickel and cobalt from wastewater. The ARPA-E RECOVER program has allocated €23.5 million to projects at the University of Texas, Johns Hopkins and Columbia University, among others.