Elon Musk wants to make cheaper and more performing batteries. That’s why it is organizing a real casting that includes several Asian manufacturers who will have to be able to mass-produce the long-awaited 4680 cells, also used by the Cybertruck
@
emilianoragoni
March 11, 2023
Tesla, with a desire to reduce costs and increase the energy of its recent cells, is recruiting Chinese and Korean suppliers. To report it is the Reuters, which quotes people familiar with the facts. According to the sources, who asked not to be named, Tesla contacted the Chinese companies Ningbo Ronbay New Energy and Suzhou Dongshan Precision Manufacturing, with the aim of reducing material costs.
the delay of the cybertruck is “fault” of the batteries
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In addition, the company is grappling with battery-related manufacturing and performance issues that have helped delay the launch of its Cybertruck. If Tesla can solve the performance and manufacturing process problems, and meet its ambitious production targets, then the 4680 cells (named for its external dimensions: 46mm in diameter and 80mm in length) could be the linchpin of CEO Elon Musk’s dream of building 20 million vehicles a year by 2030. If not, the 4680 instead it would represent a real bottleneck. Tesla, precisely with a view to trying to improve this aspect, has signed an agreement with the Korean L&F Co for the supply of cathodes with a high nickel content that could increase the energy density of its 4680 cells.
LG and panasonic for the cybertruck
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The American automaker intends to increase its production of the 4680 cells by making use of the Korean LG Energy Solution and the Japanese Panasonic. These two companies would guarantee the future production of electric vehicles, and, specifically, the cells for the Cybertruck. As reported by the ReutersTesla had been considering three battery options to ensure the launch of the Cybertruck would not be delayed again: the smallest cells 2170widely used in other Tesla models, 4680 cells, and less expensive al lithium iron phosphate. However, the EV maker preferred to wait for the 4680 cells to be ready.
underestimated industrial impact
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“While many details are unknown, Tesla’s impact on the global battery industry may still be underestimated,” Morgan Stanley said after investor day. Musk announced the new cell al Battery Day of September 2020. At that time, he promised a 50% reduction in the cost of cells thanks to a series of innovations, from larger cell sizes to a new “dry” electrode coating process that could drastically reduce the size and cost of a cell. battery factory, while increasing its performance. Repeated delays in moving the new cell from initial prototype stage to full-scale production have resulted in yet another delay in the release of the much-anticipated Cybertruck, designed to take advantage of the cell’s potential improvements in energy density and power. Also, suppliers need time to ramp up production. Panasonic is starting a pilot production line of 4680 cells in the Wakayama plantJapan, and expects to begin series production in the fiscal year ending March 2024.
March 11, 2023 – 5:02 pm
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