South Korea’s Samsung SDI has commenced production of its 4695 cylindrical battery cells, with initial shipments destined for a U.S. customer in the micromobility sector before expanding to electric vehicles, the company said on Friday.
The 4695 cells, featuring a 46-millimeter diameter and 95-millimeter height, are being produced at Samsung SDI’s facility in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. Assembly into battery modules takes place in Vietnam, the company said.
See also: EV Demand to Stay Weak Until 2026, Says Samsung SDI Chief
“With the initial supply of 46-series batteries, the company has diversified its product portfolio,” a Samsung SDI official said. “The company will continue efforts to take the lead in the 46-series market with differentiated manufacturing technology and quality.”
The new cylindrical cells incorporate a high-nickel NCS cathode and Samsung SDI’s proprietary SCN (Silicon Carbon Nanocomposite) anode, which the company says enhances energy density and extends battery lifespan while improving safety by minimizing cell expansion.
See also: Samsung SDI Issues Recall for 180,000 High Voltage Battery Packs Due to Fire Risk
Samsung SDI has also eliminated traditional electrode tabs, directly connecting electrodes to current collectors. This design improvement reduces internal resistance by 90%, enabling higher power output, the company added.
Several major automakers, including Tesla, General Motors, and BMW, are exploring the use of 46-millimeter cylindrical cells for their next-generation electric vehicles. Samsung SDI, which currently offers 4680, 4695, 46100, and 46120 cylindrical cell formats, could benefit from the growing industry demand.
See also: Stellantis-Samsung SDI JV Secures $7.54 Billion U.S. Loan Commitment for EV Battery Plants
A pilot production line for cylindrical cells was announced in 2022, initially focusing on 4680 batteries for Tesla and shorter variants for other customers. Samsung SDI is also preparing to manufacture 46-series batteries for BMW’s Neue Klasse platform at its plant in Goed, Hungary.