Samsung Electronics chairman and BMW CEO meet to strengthen EV battery partnership

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong met with BMW CEO Oliver Zipse and other executives at the BMW Driving Center in Yeongjong Island, Incheon on Saturday, December 17 to further strengthen the current cooperation between the two companies.

The partnership with Samsung SDI since 2009 provides the BMW Group with access to state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology. Another important factor in the choice of Samsung SDI was that the company considers the suitability of lithium-ion battery cells for environmentally-friendly production and subsequent recovery of materials during product development.

Samsung SDI manufactures and distributes rechargeable batteries used for electric vehicles, IT, Energy Storage System (ESS), as well as materials for semiconductors and displays.

Lee Jae-yong and BMW executives discussed strengthening of cooperation between the two companies, including Samsung SDI's 'P5' battery, which is used in BMW's latest electric vehicle, the i7 sedan and other EVs. Samsung SDI President Choi Yun-ho, BMW Senior Vice President Jean-Philippe Parang, and BMW Korea President Han Sang-yoon were also present at the event.

Prior to their meeting, Samsung Electronics' Lee Jae-yong visited the BMW Driving Center where the i7 sedan, which uses Samsung SDI's cutting-edge 'P5' battery cell, was showcased. BMW also uses the Samsung SDI P5 in other EVs such as the iX and i4. The P5 battery integrates Samsung SDI's state-of-the-art material technology to maximise the driving distance of an electric vehicle. It enables realisation of high energy density by using 'high-nickel' cathode material with nickel content of over 88% and silicon anode material

Lee Jae-yong said, “I am very happy to be with BMW. Let's continue to strengthen cooperation between the two companies in the future."

“BMW Group is very proud of its cooperation with Korean automotive and high-tech companies, and will continue to explore the technological potential of our partners to bring unprecedented innovation to our vehicles,” said BMW Group chairman Oliver Zipse. “Samsung is one of the most important partners in electrification, and it is very symbolic that Samsung executives join us with the new BMW i7, which is the culmination of our cutting-edge technology.”

“Samsung SDI, as a strategic partner of BMW, is proud to be able to participate in the development of the new i7, a luxury electric sedan,” said Choi Yoon-ho, president of Samsung SDI. Through cooperation between the two companies, we will present a new standard in the field of electric vehicles and batteries.”