BMW starts Gen6 battery production in Shenyang: the third Neue Klasse plant after Debrecen and Irlbach-Straßkirchen
BMW has started series production of Gen6 batteries for the Neue Klasse in Shenyang, China. The new cylindrical cells offer over 20% more energy density and up to 30% faster charging and more range.
The Neue Klasse is picking up speed worldwide. BMW started series production of its Gen6 high-voltage batteries in Shenyang, China, on October 15, "BMW Group PressClub" reports. After Debrecen (Hungary) and Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Germany), Shenyang becomes the third plant in the new global Gen6 network.
A truly new battery
Compared with the previous generation, the new cylindrical cells offer more than 20% higher energy density. Charging speed and range rise by up to 30%. The cells sit directly in the battery housing (cell-to-pack), with no modules, and the BMW-developed Energy Master unit handles power supply and battery management.
The Shenyang batteries will power Neue Klasse models built in China. According to "CnEVPost", the first are the iX3 and i3, and the investment totals 10 billion yuan (about $1.49 billion).
The network keeps growing
The batteries are built next to the car plants, for short transport routes and stable supply. Woodruff (USA) and San Luis Potosí (Mexico) follow in the coming months. We covered the Irlbach-Straßkirchen battery plant and the Steyr investment in Gen6 power modules.
Photo: BMW Group
1,213 km on a single charge
At the production launch, BMW also announced an impressive test: an i3 50L, the long-wheelbase version for China, covered 1,213 km without recharging, with a 113.4 kWh battery and consumption of 8.8 kWh/100 km. It arrived with 1% charge left, according to "CnEVPost" and "Electrek". This is a real-road test result, not a certified range. Earlier, an iX3 covered 1,011 km in Canada.
What it means for drivers
Gen6 batteries mean shorter charging stops and more real-world kilometres. With production on three continents, BMW can deliver the Neue Klasse faster.
