Rimac is developing Solid-State Batteries for a future Bugatti

For years, the automotive industry has been chasing the solid-state battery like it is some kind of mythical beast. We are told constantly that it is "just around the corner," promising to solve all our range anxiety and weight problems overnight. Well, it seems the waiting game is nearly over. 

Bugatti-Rimac (they are a single entity now, as you may remember) has confirmed that it is deep in development of this game-changing tech, and we will see it in a production car by the end of the decade.

This isn't just a science experiment. Nurdin Pitarevic, the COO of Rimac Technology, has spilled the beans to Autocar UK on exactly what the company is cooking up in Croatia. And if the numbers are accurate, the next generation of hypercar is going to be something very special indeed.

Shedding the Pounds

The biggest enemy of the performance EV has always been weight. Batteries are heavy, and carrying around a massive lithium-ion pack blunts handling and destroys tyres. Rimac’s solution is a new solid-state battery architecture developed in partnership with cell manufacturer ProLogium and materials experts at Mitsubishi.

The headline figures are compelling. A prototype 100 kWh pack using this new tech is roughly 30 per cent more energy-dense than current batteries. Perhaps more importantly, it is significantly lighter. By using a new ultra-stiff composite housing, Rimac has managed to shave off around 30 kg (66 lbs) from the pack weight.

That might not sound like much in a two-tonne SUV, but in the rarefied air of the hypercar world, saving 30 kg is like finding a pot of gold. It means sharper turn-in, better braking, and even more savage acceleration.

Compact Power

It is not just the batteries getting a makeover. Rimac is also working on the next generation of "e-axles"—the all-in-one units that combine the motor, gearbox, and control electronics.

These new units are designed to be incredibly power-dense. Pitarevic mentioned a new unit being built for a mystery SUV from Saudi startup CEER. It weighs just 132 kg (291 lbs) but delivers the same punch as the rear motor in the Rimac Nevera, which is about 612 bhp.

Even more impressive is a smaller unit currently in development. It pumps out 500 bhp but tips the scales at a scant 48 kg (106 lbs). To put that into perspective, you could almost pick up a 500 bhp engine and carry it under your arm. That is the kind of engineering that changes what is possible in car design.

Where Will We See It?

So, when can you buy one? The timeline is set for 2030. Rimac says the first application will be in a "mid-volume" Bugatti model.

This phrasing is interesting. "Mid-volume" for Bugatti could mean anything from 500 to 1,000 units, suggesting this might be a slightly more accessible (relative term, of course) supercar that sits below the flagship Tourbillon.

Crucially, Rimac Technology isn't just keeping this for themselves. They are already signed up to supply components to BMW and Porsche, meaning this trickle-down tech could eventually find its way into the sports cars and saloons we actually see on the road. We are SEATED for what’s to come.

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FAQs

What is a solid-state battery? 

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries which use a liquid electrolyte, solid-state batteries use a solid material. This makes them safer (less fire risk), allows them to hold more energy in a smaller space, and enables much faster charging times.

Will this tech be in the Bugatti Tourbillon? 

No. The upcoming Bugatti Tourbillon uses a V16 hybrid powertrain with current battery technology. The solid-state tech is slated for the model that comes after or alongside it, roughly around 2030.

Is Rimac selling this to other companies? 

Yes. Rimac Technology is a supplier for major OEMs. They have already confirmed partnerships with BMW, Porsche, and the new Saudi brand CEER to provide high-performance battery and motor systems.

How much lighter will the cars be? 

The battery pack alone is expected to be around 30 kg lighter. When combined with the new lightweight e-axles (which can save over 45 kg each), the total weight saving could be substantial, potentially bringing electric sports cars closer to the weight of their petrol counterparts.

Will solid-state batteries be cheaper? 

Eventually. Rimac predicts that solid-state batteries could reach price parity with current batteries by 2035. Until then, expect them to remain a premium technology reserved for high-end vehicles.