Samsung SDI said on the 31st it will jointly push a technology verification project with BMW, a German premium automaker brand, and Solid Power, a U.S. battery materials specialist, to mount all-solid-state batteries in cars. To that end, the three parties signed a tripartite business agreement for the development and demonstration of all-solid-state batteries.
Through this agreement, Samsung SDI will supply all-solid-state battery cells that boost energy density and safety by using solid electrolytes developed by Solid Power, and BMW will develop modules and packs based on them and move into demonstration. The three companies ultimately aim to install all-solid-state batteries in BMW's next-generation test vehicles to verify real-world performance.
All-solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes instead of the liquid electrolytes used in conventional lithium-ion batteries. Compared with existing batteries, they are superior in safety and can achieve higher energy density, so when installed in electric vehicles, they can be lighter than lithium-ion batteries of the same capacity while extending driving range.
Samsung SDI has been steadily working to secure competitiveness for the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries. In Mar. 2023, Samsung SDI built the battery industry's first pilot line for all-solid-state batteries at the Samsung SDI research center in Suwon and began prototype production at the end of that year. It is currently supplying all-solid-state battery samples to multiple customers and conducting tests.
Samsung SDI said, "The tripartite agreement among Samsung SDI, BMW, and Solid Power is symbolic in that three companies specialized in each area—battery cells, automobiles, and materials—have pooled their core technological capabilities to present a practical cooperation framework and a model for a global value chain for the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries."
Ko Ju-young, head of Samsung SDI's ASB Commercialization Promotion Team (executive vice president), said, "Technological competitiveness in batteries directly leads to innovation in electric vehicles," and added, "We will take the lead in commercializing all-solid-state batteries by continuing close technological cooperation with outstanding global partners such as BMW and Solid Power."
Martin Schuster, BMW Group executive in charge of battery cells and cell modules, said, "With Samsung SDI joining, we can further accelerate the development of next-generation battery cell technology," and added, "This global collaboration will once again serve as an example that proves BMW's ultimate goal of delivering cutting-edge battery technology."
John Van Scoter, Solid Power chief executive officer (CEO), said, "We are pleased to proceed with all-solid-state battery development together with Samsung SDI and BMW," and added, "Through cooperation with leading companies in the global finished-vehicle and battery sectors, we will work toward the commercialization of all-solid-state battery technology."