BMW have produced a high level walk-through of the BMW Gen6 EV Battery Technology [1] and from this we get the following high level facts:
- 46xx cylindrical cell format in two heights: 95mm and 120mm
- 400V and 800V capable
- 30% faster charging
- 30% more range
- 20% improvement in vehicle efficiency
- lower weight
- lower cost
Building on the BMW Gen6 Battery System that we posted over 2 years ago.
This Gen6 battery is Cell to Pack and Pack to Open Body just like the Tesla Model Y with the 4680 cells. Pack to Open Body is a far better description of the battery to body integration.
BMW state the advantages as:
- Maximum interior space
- Positive effect on aerodynamics and therefore optimal Cx value
- Flat design
- Weight and cost saving
On the lid of the Gen6 battery we can clearly see the front seat rail mounting points.
There are also perimeter attachment locations.
In front of the HV control box, the aluminium box mounted on top of the pack, there appear to be a number of fixing locations that could align with the heal board or a cross-car beam.
At the front of the lid there are some central mounting points that align with the bulkhead/tunnel.
This post has been built based on the support of Daniel Maier and sponsorship from: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eatron Technologies and About:Energy
In the 2022 BMW presentations to their supplier network [2] they gave a few more details around the cell and where they were getting savings.
Also we see a top terminal and bottom venting strategy that would mean a side cooling system design.
The HV control/BDU or as BMW Energy Master brings all of the parts that normally go wrong (not the cells as explained in the video) into one unit.
This is an approach used by a number of other vehicle OEM’s to allow this unit to then be serviced by removing the rear seats. Thus negating the need to drop the battery pack out of the vehicle, a costly process that also brings sealing issues when it is reinstalled.
The image shared in the BMW blog [3] shows what must be an early CNC machined aluminium case around the Energy Master unit.
References
- BMW Gen6 EV Tech EXPOSED! Next-Gen Batteries & Motors Explained, BMWBLOG, YouTube
- GEN6 Battery Cell Technology & Purchasing and Supplier Network, BMW
- Inside BMW’s Gen6 Battery Revolution: A Deep Dive from Landshut, BMWBLOG
See also: BMW 46xx Cell, 800V Architecture, Benchmarking Battery Packs