Rimac advances solid-state battery testing.Rimac Technology
Rimac Technology moved into the spotlight this week as new details emerged about its next major project. The Croatian engineering firm confirmed that its solid-state battery program has reached a stage where real-world testing will begin soon.
The timing matters because this development may directly support a new Bugatti model planned for 2030, marking a major shift in how the ultra-luxury brand approaches electrified performance.
The update arrives as the battery innovator continues expanding its identity. The company became an independent supplier in 2022, separating from the carmaking division to focus on advanced electric systems for global manufacturers.
A high-energy battery designed for performance cars
The company’s next-generation solid-state battery is being developed with partners Mitsubishi’s composite specialists and ProLogium’s cell engineers.
The prototype pack has a capacity of 100 kilowatt-hours and weighs 66 pounds (30 kilograms) less than current equivalents. Company officials say the design offers up to 30 percent more energy density than today’s battery packs.
Chief operating officer Nurdin Pitarevic told Autocar that internal testing will begin shortly. He explained that the project aims to match the cost of NMC cells by 2035. If progress continues as planned, the first automotive application will be in a Bugatti model entering production in 2030.
This future car is expected to join the Tourbillon rather than modify it, which keeps the V16 hypercar separate from any early solid-state experiments. Bugatti has not released details about the new model, but industry watchers believe it will play a key role in the brand’s long-term electrified roadmap.
Rimac expands its electric drivetrain portfolio
The solid-state program is only one part of the firm’s broader electrification strategy. The company is also developing new e-axles that combine the motor, gearbox, and electronics in a single compact unit. These are designed to support front, rear, or all-wheel-drive layouts.
Rimac says the e-axles can be configured to deliver between 200 horsepower and 470 horsepower. Major automakers such as Porsche and BMW are sourcing these systems.
A Saudi startup called Ceer, which works with Foxconn, will install a Rimac rear e-axle in its upcoming SUV. The unit will deliver output in the range of the Rimac Nevera’s 1,288-horsepower rear motor, while being significantly lighter, weighing only 291 pounds (132 kilograms).
The company is also advancing a smaller e-axle that weighs 106 pounds (48 kilograms). Despite its size, Rimac expects it to deliver around 500 horsepower, offering more flexibility for performance-oriented EVs.
Bugatti’s next steps in an evolving regulatory landscape
The arrival of the Tourbillon ended speculation that Bugatti would rebody the Rimac Nevera. Even so, Bugatti has already accepted some level of electrification with the Tourbillon’s hybrid system. The discussion around the 2030 model suggests the company is preparing for future regulations and shifting market expectations.
Reports indicate that the solid-state battery may support either a final version of the Tourbillon or an all-new successor. European rules on combustion engines are changing, giving automakers more time, yet brands are still building long-term strategies for electrified models.
Mate Rimac said in 2022 that Bugatti would not produce an SUV or an EV within ten years. Industry analysts now believe that he may have been hinting at timing rather than rejecting the idea entirely. By the end of the decade, Bugatti may reveal an ultra-light high-performance EV or an advanced hybrid positioned above the Tourbillon.
The 2030 Bugatti project is shaping up to become a turning point for the company. If the Croatian innovator delivers a solid-state battery with the promised performance and weight benefits, it could redefine what electric hypercars are capable of.
