BMW is charting its course towards an electrified future with a substantial €100 million investment in an innovative battery testing center at its Wackersdorf site in Upper Palatinate, Germany. With plans for seamless integration into the existing infrastructure, the facility is on track to commence operations by mid-2024.
The earmarked investment primarily focuses on bolstering test bench technology and enhancing the current infrastructure. Structural enhancements are already in progress, including the installation of a new floor slab for the building.
Once fully operational, this state-of-the-art center will house an array of advanced “battery testers.” These cutting-edge devices will meticulously evaluate the electrical performance of individual battery cells under a spectrum of diverse conditions. This capability enables the simulation of real-world usage scenarios well before a prototype vehicle hits the road. Initially, the facility will facilitate parallel testing of several hundred battery cells, with plans to expand its capacity to accommodate several thousand cells in the post-ramp-up phase.
In its final phase, expected to be realized in 2025, the center will transform into a critical validation hub for BMW’s burgeoning electric vehicle fleet. Here, batteries will undergo a battery of rigorous trials, including vibration and shock tests, using specialized equipment known as “shakers.” These assessments, which include the replication of intricate driving patterns and charging cycles, play an indispensable role in obtaining type approvals for electric vehicles, ensuring they meet the highest standards of safety and performance.
BMW’s substantial investment in this cutting-edge battery testing center underscores its unwavering commitment to advancing electric vehicle technology. This facility is poised to be a cornerstone in BMW’s electrification journey, shaping the future of sustainable mobility.
