Samsung SDI has entered a trilateral agreement with BMW Group and US-based Solid Power to collaborate on the validation of all-solid-state battery (ASSB) cells for future electric vehicle (EV) applications.
Under the agreement, Samsung SDI will supply ASSB cells that use Solid Power’s solid electrolyte formulation. These cells are designed to increase energy density and safety by replacing the liquid electrolyte used in conventional lithium-ion batteries.
BMW Group will develop and produce modules and battery packs to evaluate how the ASSB cells perform when integrated into next-generation vehicle platforms.
ASSB technology is viewed as a potential pathway to EV batteries with higher energy density, improved thermal stability, and reduced risk of thermal runaway. These characteristics could support longer driving ranges without a corresponding increase in pack weight.
The project will examine key performance parameters, integration behavior, and vehicle-level characteristics as part of BMW’s planned evaluation program.
The collaboration combines Samsung SDI’s cell development and manufacturing capability, Solid Power’s solid electrolyte technology, and BMW Group’s expertise in automotive pack engineering. Together, the companies aim to establish a practical framework for evaluating ASSB performance and understanding requirements for future industrialization.
Samsung SDI has been developing ASSB technologies through a pilot line at its Suwon R&D Center, which began producing prototype cells at the end of 2023. Ongoing work includes scaling cell formats, refining manufacturing processes, and preparing supply chain elements needed for eventual commercialization. The company is also assessing use cases beyond EVs, including robotics and other emerging applications.
This agreement marks an expansion of the long-standing technical relationship between Samsung SDI and BMW Group, which began in 2009, and introduces Solid Power’s solid electrolyte technology into a joint validation effort intended to accelerate understanding of ASSB readiness for automotive use.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News