Solid-state battery producer Solid Power announced a $130 million investment round led by Ford, BMW, and Volta Energy Technologies today. The two automakers have also expanded their joint venture with the battery manufacturer.
The investment comes with a view to preparing Solid Power to produce batteries at a scale and size large enough for automotive applications.
“BMW and Ford now share leading positions in the race for solid-state battery-powered electric vehicles,” said Doug Campbell Solid Power CEO. “Solid Power now plans to begin producing automotive-scale batteries on the company’s pilot production line in early 2022 as a result of our partners’ continued commitment to Solid Power’s commercialization efforts.”
The companies are set to receive 100 ampere-hour batteries for testing and vehicle integration in early 2022. Each automaker is expected to receive its own batteries for its own vehicles’ needs.
Read Also: BMW Solid-State Battery Prototype Coming Before 2025, Production Due By 2030
Solid-state batteries are seen by many as a major step forward for electric vehicles. Safer and more energy-dense than today’s batteries, the technology promises to be a major advantage for automakers with the technology.
“Solid-state battery technology is important to the future of electric vehicles, and that’s why we’re investing directly,” said Ted Miller, Ford’s manager of Electrification Subsystems and Power Supply Research. “By simplifying the design of solid-state versus lithium-ion batteries, we’ll be able to increase vehicle range, improve interior space and cargo volume, deliver lower costs and better value for customers, and more efficiently integrate this kind of solid-state battery cell technology into existing lithium-ion cell production processes.”
Many major automakers invested in the EV race are putting effort into perfecting solid-state battery technology. Leading the race will then be crucial.
“Being a leader in advanced battery technology is of the utmost importance for the BMW Group. The development of all solid-state batteries is one of the most promising and important steps towards more efficient, sustainable, and safer electric vehicles. We now have taken our next step on this path with Solid Power,” said Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management BMW AG, Development. “Together we have developed a 20 Ah all solid-state cell that is absolutely outstanding in this field. Over the past 10 years, BMW has continuously increased the battery cell competence– important partners like Solid Power share our vision of zero-emission mobility.”
