Rimac to supply batteries for BMW Neue Klasse EVs

Rimac has announced its “largest and most ambitious” partnership yet – supplying batteries for BMW’s next-generation Neue Klasse electric vehicles.

No details have been released on just how many of its advanced batteries the Croatian firm has agreed to supply, but Rimac said the new alliance requires a significant portion of its Zagreb HQ’s 50-acre site to be dedicated to production of the BMW battery packs.

The company also said it will deploy ‘“sophisticated automated production lines” at its plant.

BMW has previously confirmed that its next-generation EV batteries would switch from the current prismatic arrangement to new cylindrical cells.

Combined with an undisclosed battery chemistry, BMW claims its new batteries offer 20 per cent more energy density.

That will increase driving range by about 30 per cent, enabling up to 800km between top-ups, while charging speeds will increase to 270kW.

Crucially, the carbon emissions emitted during battery production is around 60 per cent less than today’s batteries, while the costs involved with their production will reportedly be halved.

BMW says the new battery cells have a 46mm diameter and will come in two heights – one that stands 85mm tall and the other 120mm. That will make both battery packs taller than Tesla’s own 4680-type cells that are 46mm in diameter but just 80mm tall.

It’s unclear if Rimac will help develop the new batteries, or will simply act as a production partner.

What’s more, there are suggestions that the firm responsible for the wild 1408kW quad-motor Rimac Nevera might develop a completely different type of battery that could be destined for BMW M’s high-performance EVs.

Both BMW and Rimac have promised to release full details of the new arrangement later.

Commenting on the deal, Rimac CEO and founder Mate Rimac said: “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.”

BMW is also building new battery assembly plants in Germany, China, Hungary, Mexico and the US to ensure it has the capacity it needs to meet demand for its Neue Klasse EVs.

First to arrive in 2025 will be a mid-size SUV that will replace the current BMW iX3 and rival the Tesla Model Y.

Despite only being in operation since 2008 and producing one car, Rimac has fast become one of the biggest innovators in EVs, which has led to a huge investments from the Volkswagen Group via Porsche) in a complex deal that saw Mate Rimac take control of French hypercar-maker Bugatti.

Bugatti-Rimac is now pressing ahead with developing an electrified V16-powered Bugatti Chiron successor that is primed to embrace the firm’s state-of-the art battery tech.

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