Tesla is pushing for faster development of 4680 new battery cells, battery supplier Panasonic’s chief financial officer said in an interview with Bloomberg published on Wednesday.
Hirokazu Umeda noted this in a press conference following the release of Panasonic’s quarterly financial results, noting that the Japanese company is still seeing stronger demand from Tesla for its 2170 cells. present.
The 4680 cells – longer and 2170 wider while remaining cylindrical – have been championed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk as the key to unlocking cheaper electric cars, as well as apps. consume more power like the Tesla Semi and Cybertruck. Panasonic is also betting that new technology will pave the way for supply other auto manufacturers other than Tesla.
Future Tesla cells will generate power, increase energy
Panasonic searched locations in Oklahoma and Kansas for a factory in the United States to build 4680 cells, Bloomberg reported in March. But there were no updates on Panasonic’s quarterly earnings call, and earlier this year the company confirmed it would be implementing the new format. originally in Japan.
The company will likely need to ramp up production as it addresses the technical challenges of producing new cells. Last year, obviously many battery suppliers ready to create a new format. However, last fall, Panasonic said that it makes “New technical requirements. “
Tesla has reached one million 4680 cumulative cells produced at its pilot facility, though that’s not close to what’s needed to deliver Model Y and Model 3 production, which is an interim goal for the automaker. Musk proposed in April 2021 that cells are no more than 18 months from bulk production.
