BMW has started mass production of its sixth-generation high-voltage battery at its Shenyang plant in northeast China, marking the first large-scale production of large cylindrical cells for EVs in the country. The move paves the way for the launch of the Neue Klasse BMW iX3, which is expected to arrive soon.
The announcement was made on October 15 at the 2026 BMW Innovation Day in Shenyang, where BMW Group Chairman Dr. Nicolas Peter made his first visit to China since taking office. He called the occasion "a significant moment for BMW, for Shenyang, and for our development in China," adding that the new battery "once again confirms BMW is a long-term and reliable partner for China."
The sixth-generation battery, developed over nine years and through three generations of battery technology, is the result of BMW's in-house research. It houses 960 large cylindrical cells arranged in 40 rows of 24, with individual cooling plates between rows. The pack uses a cell-to-chassis (CTC) design, integrating cells directly into the battery housing without traditional modules, maximizing space efficiency.
Compared with the previous generation, the new cells offer more than 20% higher energy density, and charging speed and range improve by up to 30%. The technology won the "International New Energy Vehicle Innovation Technology" award at the 2026 World New Energy Vehicle Congress.
The Shenyang plant, which operates under BMW's iFACTORY green digital manufacturing strategy, uses digital twins, AI-based quality inspection, and industrial IoT in the battery production line. Every cell undergoes multiple inspections and each battery must pass 100% performance and safety checks before leaving the factory, aiming for zero-defect production.
Real-world range test and local production
BMW also revealed that a Neue Klasse i3 test car completed a 1,213 km (754 miles) non-stop range test on real roads, covering highways, national roads, country roads, and city streets. The range achievement rate was 118%, according to BMW. This performance is attributed to the combination of the sixth-generation battery, an 800-volt architecture, vehicle energy management, and software and chassis integration.
With the battery now produced locally, BMW has all three core electric-drive components—motor, electronics, and battery—manufactured in China. The company says this completes its local EV supply chain. BMW has invested over 120 billion yuan (about $16.9 billion) in the Shenyang base since 2010, including 10 billion yuan (about $1.4 billion) for the sixth-generation battery project. In May, the plant produced its 7 millionth vehicle.
According to BMW's latest strategy, nearly 20 new and updated BMW models with Neue Klasse technology will be launched in China by 2027, and the company plans to raise the share of locally produced models to over 95% by 2030. BMW is also evaluating expanding exports of Shenyang-made EVs to Southeast Asia and other overseas markets.
The Neue Klasse iX3 and i3 are expected to be the first models to use the new battery, offering what BMW describes as a balance of luxury, safety, and driving pleasure. The company also highlighted that five suppliers in battery, AI, and auto parts have already placed orders for the iX3, signaling confidence in the new lineup.
