One of Tesla’s main battery suppliers, Panasonic, has admitted that production of the new 4680 cells will be delayed to improve performance. The brand founded by Elon Musk already produces its own cells of this type in the United States.
Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized the transportation industry since they were first introduced in the 1990s, and their use has spread to most electric vehicles available on the market today.
However, battery technology continues to evolve, and one of the most recent is the tesla 4680 batterywhich is being developed in collaboration with the Japanese supplier Panasonic.
The 4680 battery is a Significant advancement in lithium-ion battery technology. The number “4680” refers to the dimensions of the battery cell, which measures 46 millimeters in diameter and 80 millimeters long. By comparison, battery cells used in conventional electric vehicles are 18 to 21 millimeters in diameter and 65 to 70 millimeters in length.
The 4680 battery has several theoretical advantages compared to smaller batteries used in conventional electric vehicles, although rivals like Bosch deny that this be true.
First of all, it has a higher energy density, meaning it can store more power in the same space as a smaller battery. Second, it has a faster charging time and a longer lifespan. Third, the 4680 battery is easier and cheaper to manufacture due to its size.
Tesla’s 4680 batteries
Tesla has been working on the 4680 battery for some time and has made significant progress in production. In September 2020, Elon Musk presented the 4680 battery at Tesla’s Annual Shareholders Conference, where he stated that the new battery would reduce the cost of electric vehicles and it would increase its reach.
However, Panasonic, Tesla’s Japanese supplier, has recently announced that it will delay production of the 4680 battery cells because need to improve their performance.
Panasonic had previously planned to start production between April 2023 and March 2024, but has now rescheduled production to introduce performance-enhancing measures that will further increase competitiveness. Mass production is now planned between April and September 2024later than previously scheduled.
While the production delay for the 4680 battery is a setback for Tesla, the company is still working on its development and production. Tesla is already producing its own 4680 battery cells at its California and Texas factories.and the company has stated that it was producing more than 1,000 batteries per week by the end of 2022.
In addition to Panasonic, Tesla’s South Korean supplier, LG power solution, also plans to set up a new 4680 production line at its domestic factory by the end of this year. This indicates that the 4680 battery technology has great potential in the EV industry and that Panasonic will need to gain momentum to remain competitive.
