It may look like an electric 7 -series series in M Performance Guise, but this i7 M70 is far more interesting. BMW has replaced its standard battery to test a more advanced technology. No, it is not the upcoming gene6 -round cells that debut in NEE class IX3. Instead, the luxury limousine is based on the solid power batteries from Solid Power in order to deliver a longer range.
BMW tests the i7 M70 in Munich to evaluate how the battery behaves under real conditions. Although the range is not disclosed, the engineers can assume that the engineers strive for significantly more than the EPA ratings of 285 miles offered by the regular model. The longest i7, which is currently longest in the USA, is EDRIVE50. It is a rear drive version that is able to do 314 miles with a single load.
BMW claims that Gen6 cylindrical cells offer an increase in energy density by 20%, but solid -state batteries promise even greater advantages. This includes a broader operating temperature range and improved security, since EVS with ASSBEN (All-Solid-State batteries) are less susceptible to fire due to a reduced risk for thermal outliers.
It is also expected that Assben is significantly lighter than current lithium-ion packs. However, a big obstacle remains: production costs. At the beginning of this year, BMW confirmed that the SOLID-State battery technology remains unaffected. As a result, it is unlikely that this decade will be used in a production model. The transfer of these costs to customers would make the vehicles inappropriately expensive.
BMW works during work to reduce these costs and sets this electric 7-series series on road traffic in Germany in months. The i7 M70 prototype combines existing gene5 constructions with prismatic cell modules in addition to new modules that contain solid body cells with sulfide-based electrolytes. These are developed by solid performance with the support of the internal experts from BMW. The two companies have worked on ASSB since 2016.
BMW made strategic investments in solid power about four years ago. At the end of 2022, its partnership expanded a prototype-solid-state battery production line in the BMW Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf.
Until BMW-EVs are viable with solid body batteries, all MEU class models are expected to offer at least 373 miles (600 kilometers). Some could exceed 900 kilometers according to our sources. However, these numbers are based on the more optimistic WLTP cycle. EPA estimates would probably be 10–15% lower or even worse.
Source: BMW
