Electric car batteries and drive technology.

Electric car batteries can be recycled, and the process is becoming more efficient. 90% of the materials in a BMW’s high-voltage battery are recyclable, including valuable materials such as lithium and cobalt. In the Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre in Parsdorf, outside of Munich, the BMW Group is developing the process of recycling secondary raw materials for the next generation of battery cells.

If you need to replace your electric vehicle battery, you can return it to your local BMW Retail Centre where they will install a new battery and recycle your old one in line with regulations.

The main components of an electric car battery include lithium, which is essential for energy storage, and cobalt, often used in the battery’s cathode to improve stability and performance. Nickel, manganese, and aluminium are also used in the cathode to enhance energy density and lifespan. The anode is typically made of graphite, a form of carbon that allows for effective charge and discharge cycles. Other materials, like copper and steel, are used in the structural components of the battery.

At BMW, we start by sourcing high-quality raw materials, including lithium, nickel, and graphite, which are essential for optimal performance. These materials are transformed into the cathodes and anodes that define our advanced lithium-ion cells. Through precise engineering, these components are assembled into a compact structure, layered with a separator for safety and efficiency. Each cell undergoes rigorous testing to guarantee reliability and performance. Finally, our cells are integrated into modules and sophisticated battery packs, complete with advanced thermal management and battery management systems.

The BMW Group seeks to bring cobalt mining and processing in line with its sustainability and international labour standards. In 2018, together with a number of other partners, we established the ‘Cobalt for Development’ initiative to improve the labour and living conditions of workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

While all lithium-ion batteries carry some inherent risk, these are well-managed through engineering and technology. BMW’s advanced battery design includes robust enclosures, sophisticated thermal management systems, and an intelligent Battery Management System (BMS) that continuously monitors performance. These features ensure the batteries can withstand impacts and extreme conditions, making them resilient in the event of an accident. Additionally, BMW rigorously tests its battery systems to adhere to the highest safety standards.

Electric car batteries do not actively charge while driving, but they can regain some energy through regenerative braking, also known as recuperation or energy recovery. This system captures kinetic energy when the car slows down or brakes and converts it back into electrical energy, which is stored in the battery. However, this only provides a small boost, and the primary charging still happens when the car is plugged into an external power source.

Electric car batteries can discharge slowly when not in use due to what’s called self-discharge. This occurs naturally in all batteries as small amounts of energy are lost over time, even when the car is not being driven. However, the rate of discharge is typically low, and the latest BMW electric vehicles are designed to minimise self-discharge thanks to their advanced battery management systems.

There are many ways of charging an electric car or a plug-in hybrid. Either conveniently at home or flexibly on the go. It's up to you. At home, you can charge safely and conveniently with the BMW Wallbox. Alternatively, you can use the BMW Flexible Fast Charger to charge at domestic or industrial charging sockets, and at various charging points near your home. When you’re on the move, you can use the fast charging cable (Mode 3) for public charging and the BMW Charging Card to charge at one of the many charging stations.

You can influence the service life of your battery with clever time management when charging. It's preferable to charge the battery shortly before your planned departure time. This applies especially to AC charging overnight. To this end, you can use the practical “Charging within a time frame” function in the My BMW app. This allows you to set the optimal charging start time. This ensures that your vehicle is perfectly prepared for your next trip. In day-to-day use, AC charging is the best option for conserving your battery. Charging the battery to 80 percent extends the service life of the battery and enhances the charging power. Are you planning a longer journey? If so, DC quick chargers along the route are the perfect choice for quick stops along the way. If you don't plan to use your BMW electric car for a longer period of time, you should keep it at a state of charge between 30 and 50 percent. This also conserves the integrity of the battery in the long term.

Use BMW Charging, a service provided by Digital Charging Solutions GmbH, to charge at facilities across Europe in one of the largest charging networks, which is growing all the time.

The best place to find detailed information about the availability of public charging infrastructure is at https://www.bmw-charging.com. Alternatively, you can easily view public charging posts on BMW Maps in your vehicle’s navigation system or the My BMW app. On all trips, your BMW's navigation system will help you by providing a charge-optimised route for journeys beyond your car's current range. Suggested time-optimised charging stations along the route – for instance at high-power charging stations operated by our partner IONITY – ensure that you can drive with peace of mind, even on longer journeys.