BMW Opens Bavarian Battery Plant to Supply Neue Klasse Production

BMW says series production has begun at its new Irlbach-Straßkirchen battery plant in Bavaria. The October 1 announcement places the facility at the center of the company’s supply network for sixth-generation high-voltage batteries.

The first batteries are going to BMW’s Munich plant for the new i3. BMW puts its investment at approximately €1 billion and says the ramp-up has reached two-shift operation earlier than originally planned.

Why the factory matters

Battery production is an important link between an EV announcement and the ability to build vehicles at scale. A new assembly facility does not, by itself, establish real-world range, long-term durability or charging performance; those require vehicle-specific evidence.

What buyers should watch

For anyone considering a Neue Klasse model, the useful next details are local delivery timing, the precise battery and charging specification, and warranty coverage. Factory output and a retail delivery promise are different milestones.

The announcement is BMW’s account of its manufacturing progress. Chiefs Review has not independently inspected the plant.

Source and reporting note

Original manufacturer announcement, dated October 1, 2026. Checked October 5, 2026. This article is original reporting based on the linked announcement.

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