BMW and Rimac to partner on next-gen battery tech

BMW and EV specialist Rimac Technology have announced that they are working together on the next generation of BMW electric cars.

Rimac Technology said the long-term partnership would see it develop high-voltage batteries for the next wave of BMW Group models, due in the second half of this decade. It said the deal, which will require it to scale up production massively, was the largest and most ambitious project it has yet undertaken.

A ‘significant’ proportion of its Rimac Campus near Zagreb, Croatia, will be redeveloped with new automated production lines and dedicated to the BMW project.

BMW recently revealed the Vision Neue Klasse X as a preview of its replacement for the iX3 but it isn’t clear whether this and the Vision Neue Klasse saloon will use Rimac battery technology. BMW said only that the new partnership would develop battery units for ‘selected’ battery electric models.

Rimac Technology specialises in providing electric powertrain solutions to car makers around the world, while its sister company Rimac Automobili is behind the world’s fastest electric car – the Nevera.

Mate Rimac, founder of the Rimac Group, commented: “My business journey began with a 1984 BMW 3 Series that I converted into an electric car in my garage at the age of 20 so it’s a perfect piece of symmetry to partner with the BMW Group today.

“This marks a pivotal moment in the growth of Rimac Technology, from humble beginnings to a major long-term partnership with one of the greatest automotive brands in the world. It’s a clear sign of the transition of Rimac Technology from niche high-performance supplier to high-volume production capability. With the relentless growth of our business, including the opening of Rimac Campus, we’re now ready to deliver large-scale projects for the leading brands in the automotive industry.”

Separately from the new deal with Rimac, the BMW Group is preparing the debut of the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology. The German premium brand says the latest powertrain developments will bring “another significant leap forward in all customer-relevant attributes”, including range and charging time.