BMW’s Gen6 battery wins technology award in China

BMW has picked up a technology award in China for the Gen6 high-voltage battery that underpins its Neue Klasse electric models.

The battery was named a “Global New Energy Vehicle Innovative Technology” at the 2026 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC). BMW says it was the only carmaker from outside China to receive one of the congress’s technology awards this year.

The judges cited the battery’s new BMW round cells, which use a high-nickel cathode, along with the company’s overall approach to battery development. It is the fifth year in a row, and the sixth time in total, that BMW has been recognised at the event.

“We are very proud to receive this international award for our Gen6 high-voltage battery,” said Jochen Goller, BMW AG board member responsible for Customer, Brands and Sales. “It confirms our long-term approach of combining technological innovation with the highest standards of quality and safety and genuine customer relevance.”

What’s in the Gen6 battery

Gen6 is the sixth generation of BMW’s eDrive technology and forms the base of the Neue Klasse, which began with the new iX3. BMW plans to roll it out gradually across its full electric line-up, and says it filed patent applications for more than 500 innovations in the move from Gen5 to Gen6.

The whole Gen6 battery range is designed for an 800-volt architecture and supports bidirectional charging. The cylindrical cells go straight into the pack with no module structure in between. BMW says this cell-to-pack layout raises energy density at the pack level and makes better use of the available space, with the flat design supporting more range and faster charging.

“The Gen6 high-voltage battery represents a technological leap across all customer-relevant features,” said Thomas Engelhardt, BMW Group senior vice president for high-voltage battery and charging development. “Its innovative, flat design with cylindrical cells paves the way for greater range and faster charging, while maintaining the highest level of safety.”

Safety and the Energy Master

BMW says safety was the top priority in development. The round cells have a steel housing and built-in safety mechanisms, and the pack uses a multi-stage insulation concept alongside thermal and energy management systems.

Mounted on top of the pack is the Energy Master, with hardware and software developed in-house. It manages energy flow, powers the electric motors and the vehicle’s electrical system, and handles data from the battery. It also makes the car compatible with both 400-volt and 800-volt charging infrastructure and enables bidirectional charging.

BMW says the system has been designed to stay open to other cell technologies, so different cell types could be integrated in future.