BMW Group has won an innovation award at the 2026 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC) for its sixth-generation battery technology, and used the occasion to underscore its deepening ties with Chinese partners. The award, presented on September 23, recognized BMW's "battery pack integration technology based on high-nickel large cylindrical cells," according to Sina Auto.
This is the fifth consecutive year and sixth time BMW has received a technology-related honor at the congress, which is a key industry event in China. BMW has been a partner of the congress for eight consecutive years. At this year's event, the company showcased the Neue Klasse BMW iX3, the Neue Klasse BMW i3, and the new BMW i7 for the first time.
BMW's sixth-generation battery is central to its Neue Klasse strategy. The company says the technology integrates research, development, procurement, production, and recycling, and is designed to improve safety, range, charging performance, and durability. BMW has developed the battery in collaboration with Chinese partners CATL and EVE Energy, combining its own core technology and quality standards with local expertise.
China as an innovation hub
Speaking at a Sino-German cooperation forum during the congress, BMW Group's president and CEO for Greater China, Sean Green, said the Neue Klasse technology cluster, including the sixth-generation battery and BMW's intelligent driving assistance system, reflects a fusion of BMW's engineering heritage and Chinese innovation. "We will continue to strengthen cooperation with Chinese partners, bring more Chinese innovations to the world, and create greater industrial value through mutual empowerment," Green said, as quoted by Sina Auto.
BMW's collaboration with Chinese suppliers now extends beyond traditional components to software, artificial intelligence, industrial digitalization, and global process management, the company said.
The sixth-generation battery uses large cylindrical cells with steel-shell protection, top safety connections, bottom directional pressure relief, and multi-layer insulation. BMW has also developed an Energy Master system that is compatible with both 400V and 800V charging environments.
Range and charging performance
For the Neue Klasse BMW iX3 50L xDrive, the battery pack has a usable energy capacity of 111.3 kWh. Under CLTC conditions, a 10-minute charge adds 418 kilometers (about 260 miles) of range, and a 10% to 80% fast charge takes 21 minutes. CLTC figures are typically 15-20% more optimistic than WLTP, so the real-world range would be lower (est.).
In a test this summer, a Neue Klasse BMW iX3 drove from BMW's Shenyang production base to its Beijing R&D center on a single charge, covering more than 1,000 kilometers (about 621 miles). In a separate test at high altitude and extreme temperature variations around Qinghai Lake, the vehicle achieved more than 800 kilometers (about 497 miles) of range.
BMW said the sixth-generation battery, 800V high-voltage platform, and Energy Master system work together to provide longer range and greater confidence for cross-regional travel. The company emphasized its commitment to "long-termism" and open cooperation, saying it will continue to advance its Neue Klasse product rollout and contribute to the high-quality development of the new energy vehicle industry.
