By ATN
Summary: BMW has partnered with Rimac Technology to develop the high-voltage battery system for the new all-electric BMW i7, bringing BMW’s sixth-generation (Gen6) eDrive technology to the brand’s flagship electric sedan. The battery combines Gen6 4695 cylindrical cells with the established Gen5 module design, and will make its world premiere at Auto China 2026 in Beijing on 22 April.
Key engineering takeaway: The Gen6 4695 lithium-ion cylindrical cell delivers a 20 percent higher volumetric energy density compared with the prismatic cells used in Gen5, translating directly into increased range for the i7. Pairing the new cell chemistry and format with the carry-over Gen5 module architecture is a pragmatic integration strategy — it accelerates deployment of the higher-energy cells into an existing vehicle platform without requiring a full pack redesign, while also enabling higher charging power and reduced charging times.
Why it matters: The collaboration marks Rimac Technology’s transition from niche supplier for hypercars to a Tier 1 delivering high-volume battery systems for a major premium OEM, signalling how quickly specialist electrification expertise can scale into mainstream production programmes. It also demonstrates BMW’s strategy of cascading Neue Klasse-derived technologies across its existing model portfolio rather than confining them to clean-sheet platforms, which should accelerate the competitive impact of the new cell technology across the line-up.
BMW Group develops high-voltage battery technology with Rimac
The BMW Group is cooperating with Rimac Technology (Croatia) on the new all-electric BMW i7.
The aim of the joint project is to bring the Gen6 technology developed by BMW for an innovative high-voltage storage system for more range and higher charging speed to the new all-electric BMW 7 Series Sedan.
The sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology (Gen6) is finding its way into the BMW brand’s top-of-the-range all-electric model in the form of its 4695 lithium-ion cylindrical cell. The cell is characterised, among other things, by a 20 percent higher volumetric energy density compared to the prismatic cells of the Gen5.
The high-voltage battery, which combines Gen6 cell technology with the established Gen5 module design, enables the new BMW i7 to achieve a significantly increased range.
BMW i7 customers can also charge much faster thanks to the newly developed technology. The charging capacity is increased and the charging time reduced accordingly.
The new BMW i7 will celebrate its world premiere on April 22nd at Auto China 2026 in Beijing.
“We are quickly rolling out the technologies of the Neue Klasse across our entire model portfolio – including, of course, in our all-electric luxury sedan. The teams of both companies have developed a tailor-made solution for the new BMW i7,” says Dr. Thomas Engelhardt, Senior VP Development High-Voltage Storage and Charging at the BMW Group. “The excellent collaboration with Rimac Technology is a good example of European innovative strength.”
The high-voltage battery is manufactured on state-of-the-art equipment at Rimac Technology in Croatia and delivered ready for assembly at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, the world’s only production facility for the BMW 7 Series.
Mate Rimac, Founder and President of Rimac Group, CEO and CTO Bugatti Rimac says: “BMW has always been known for pushing engineering to the highest level, which made this collaboration especially exciting for us.
Together, we developed a high-voltage battery system that unlocks the full potential of the new cylindrical cells in record time, delivering significant improvements in energy, range, and charging performance.
We are proud to now see this system being produced at scale at our new Rimac Campus.”
Rimac Technology is a Tier 1 supplier belonging to the Rimac Group that specialises in electrification in the automotive sector with innovative products. The portfolio is defined by high-voltage battery systems, e-axles as well as electronics and software solutions that are developed and produced in-house. This makes it possible to offer solutions that combine advanced technology with a high degree of customisation. The long-term partnership with the BMW Group demonstrates the company’s transformation from a niche supplier for super sports cars to a Tier 1 supplier for high-volume vehicle projects.
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