BMW makes battery alliance with Solid Power

Manufacturers are literally rushing to sort out their collaborations with battery suppliers as the automotive world moves towards electrification. Recently, Solid Power, a U.S.-based battery company, announced it would work with BMW on game-changing solid-state batteries. 

BMW is not the only one interested in S.S.B. In fact, Toyota was first to announce its plans to deploy the battery technology in passenger cars in the early 2020s. Fisker also filed patents for its own solid-state battery technology and manufacturing process. The small electric-car company said the technology should be ready for major automotive applications around the same timeframe Toyota gave.

Unlike in a lithium-ion battery, a solid-state battery replaces liquid or gel-like electrolytes with a conductive material to increase performance, offer more capacity, and increase safety. Specifically, Solid Power said BMW will lend its expertise to help create batteries for high-performance electric vehicles. Solid Power says its technology can potentially lower costs because solid-state batteries don't need as many safety features as lithium-ion batteries. More details soon.