New BMW i7 Battery To Be Co-Developed By Rimac

BMW Group and Croatian company Rimac Technology have joined forces to develop an innovative high-voltage system for the new all-electric BMW i7.

The collaboration between the two companies has resulted in a solution that brings greater range, faster charging, and advanced battery technology, and the world premiere of the new model is scheduled for April 22 at the Auto China 2026 show in Beijing.

The core of the joint project is the implementation of BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology (Gen6) in a fully electric model from the BMW brand. The key element of this technology is the cylindrical lithium-ion cell in the 4695 format, which has a volumetric energy density that is up to 20 percent higher than the prismatic cells of the previous, fifth generation. The high-voltage battery combines Gen6 cell technology with the proven modular design of the Gen5 generation, which gives the new BMW i7 a significantly increased range and significantly reduced charging time.

Dr. Thomas Engelhardt, Senior Vice President for Development of High-Voltage Storage and Charging Systems at the BMW Group, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “We are rapidly introducing Neue Klasse technologies across our entire portfolio—including, of course, our fully electric luxury sedan. Teams from both companies have developed a solution tailored to the new BMW i7. The exceptional collaboration with Rimac Technology is a good example of European innovative strength.”

Mate Rimac, founder and president of the Rimac Group and CEO and CTO of Bugatti Rimac, also shared his impressions: “BMW has always been known for pushing engineering to the highest level, which made this collaboration particularly exciting for us. Together, we have developed a high-voltage battery system in record time that fully exploits the potential of the new cylindrical cells, bringing significant improvements in energy, range, and charging performance. We are proud that we can now produce this system on a large scale in our new Rimac Campus.”

The high-voltage battery is manufactured on state-of-the-art equipment at Rimac Technology’s facilities in Croatia and delivered ready for assembly at the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing—the only production facility in the world for the BMW 7 Series. Rimac Technology is a Tier 1 supplier within the Rimac Group, specializing in electrification in the automotive sector. The company’s portfolio includes high-voltage battery systems, electric axles, and electronic and software solutions that are developed and produced in-house. The long-term partnership with the BMW Group is a testament to the company’s transformation—from a niche supplier for super sports cars to a Tier 1 supplier for mass-production vehicle projects.

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