Tesla has now enlisted the help of former battery production partner, Panasonic after a report says that the company got back in touch with the power cell manufacturer for the new 4680 battery cells. The clean energy company was known to be going in-house with its new 4680 battery after its previous announcements but have now reverted to external production.
Questions regarding this matter all revolve around "Did Tesla's 4680 battery fail?" because the power cell was supposed to be produced by the electric vehicle manufacturer in-house. Tesla's battery venture has been through ups and downs throughout the past, with several projects announced not seeing production among the public.
Last Battery Day, Elon Musk promised that Tesla would soon create its power cells for its future vehicles, and up until early this month, this was true. Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin would host the production of the new 4680 battery cell, along with the Model Y who would be the first electric vehicle in the company that would sport the battery pack.
Giga Berlin-Brandenburg will be the first to use our new structural pack architecture, 4680 (world’s most advanced cells, made on-site), both front & rear body castings & advanced paint shop. Warning: with so much new technology, production timing is naturally harder to predict.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 15, 2020
However, new reports contradict the earlier statement and even Elon Musk's confirmation of the new power cell and Model Y in Giga Berlin from his Twitter report and conversation. According to Nikkei Asia's report, Panasonic would take over the new battery venture by Tesla, particularly the 4680 power cell for 2021.
The Japanese manufacturing company would begin the production at the earliest possible period in the coming year and would not waste any time creating Tesla's new battery cell. The 4680 battery is said to be cheaper and more powerful, bringing more range and battery life throughout its long use in the hands of the public.
Tesla 4680 Battery: Larger Power Cell, Cheaper, and More Range
The 4680 battery is one of the most promising battery technology for electric vehicles that would soon be introduced to the public, already equipped on Tesla's EVs. The battery technology would focus on the "Tabless" 4680 power cell, which is the conventional lithium-ion design of the batteries and also one of its flaws.
Tabs in the battery are what connect the anodes, separator, and cathodes, including its positive and negative terminals. While these "tabs" are essential in a battery, it would contribute to the deterioration and weakening of the power cell over time.
Also theoretically, a single tab would not be enough or sufficient for the distribution of power by the entire power cell, with some of the energy wasted or not reaching its full potential. This problem is what the Tabless 4680 battery cell aims to answer and improve on, for the progression of electric vehicle power technology.
As the saying goes, "leave it to the experts," is what Tesla seems to have done now. While no news or reports point to Tesla failing the 4680 battery technology and manufacturing, Panasonic takes over the project for the clean energy company.
Related Article: Elon Musk Confirms Model Y Rumors: Tesla Giga Berlin Will be First to Manufacture New Structural Architecture and 4680 Batteries!
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Isaiah Alonzo
