ENERGY TRANSITION

“ At the end of 2022, we made the decision to start the project in February 2023,” explains Sabrina Kugler, Overall Project Manager Plant Construction Irlbach-Straßkirchen.

“ We purchased the land after looking at 20 other areas. A referendum took place on 21 September 2023. There was a clear and strong vote from citizens. Yes, BMW should build a new plant here.”

Construction began in April 2024, aiming to create 1,600 positions and produce 1,000 batteries per working day.

Innovative assembly powering the Neue Klasse The Irlbach-Straßkirchen plant is a vital link in BMW’ s“ Local for Local” strategy, ensuring that high-voltage batteries are assembled near the vehicle plants they serve to reduce the carbon footprint of production. The plant focuses on the assembly of the“ Gen-6” battery, which uses cylindrical cells.

“ Our battery cells have a diameter of 46 mm and we use it in two different heights. One is 95 mm and the other 120 mm,” says Markus.“ Compared to the prismatic cells of the former generation, our new cylindrical cells have a 20 % increased energy density. We are convinced that we offer the optimum cell and pack to our customers worldwide. The Gen-6 offers a huge step forward in technology.” This technological leap is central to BMW’ s goal of ensuring more than half of its global sales are fully electric before 2030.

Revolutionary design for enhanced vehicle performance The shift to the Gen-6 battery is a radical rethink of battery architecture. By moving away from traditional modules, BMW has created a slimmer, more integrated unit that enhances vehicle dynamics.

“ With the new cells comes a completely new concept for the high voltage battery,” Markus explains.“ No modules, no struts and a more efficient and flat design, and one concept for our whole fully electric portfolio.

“ The energy content of the pack is scalable through the rows of cells. The result is a more compact, slimmer and lighter battery with more energy inside.” This“ cell-to-pack” approach allows the battery to be integrated directly into the vehicle’ s cast structure, saving space and improving aerodynamics.

130 March 2026