BMW Sources Battery Cells From Europe and U.S.
The automaker plans to buy more battery cells from Samsung and LG factories in Europe and the United States, with deliveries starting at the end of the decade.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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BMW announced on Monday that it plans to buy more battery cells from Europe and the United States. Samsung and LG will produce components for BMW's sixth-generation batteries at their factories in those regions.
Why it matters
Battery cells for the car industry often come from China, so BMW is aiming to shorten transport routes and strengthen supply chain security. Adding Samsung as a European supplier alongside CATL and EVE Energy also diversifies its procurement.
The announcement covers BMW's sixth-generation battery cells, with deliveries due to begin at the end of the decade. No production volumes, capacity figures, or contract values were disclosed in the source material.
The players
BMW
German automaker headquartered in Munich, known for its premium vehicles and its push into electric mobility.
Samsung
South Korean electronics conglomerate whose battery division is a major global supplier of lithium-ion cells for automakers.
LG
South Korean conglomerate whose LG Energy Solution unit is one of the world's largest producers of electric vehicle batteries.
CATL
Chinese battery manufacturer that is the world's largest producer of electric vehicle batteries by volume.
The details
Samsung and LG will produce components for the sixth-generation batteries at their factories in Europe and the United States. Samsung joins CATL and EVE Energy, which also produce batteries in Europe, as a supplier for BMW.
Timeline
November 9, 2026: BMW announces plans to buy more battery cells.
End of the decade: Deliveries of sixth-generation battery cells are due to begin.
Roadmap
Battery cells for electric vehicles have long been concentrated in China, which has shaped automaker sourcing for years. BMW's move to add Samsung and LG production in Europe and the United States extends a broader effort by carmakers to localize battery supply.
For buyers, a more regionalized battery supply may eventually affect where future BMW electric models are built and how supply disruptions are managed. The practical effects on pricing or availability are not yet detailed in the announcement.
The takeaway
Battery sourcing is becoming a strategic question for automakers, not just a cost one. Watch for how sixth-generation supply timelines and regional factory output develop before deliveries begin later this decade.
Further reading
For more on the shift in battery supply, see our Electric Vehicles coverage.
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