In a significant development, Tesla’s battery cell team at Giga Texas has reached a major milestone by successfully manufacturing its 10 millionth 4680 battery cell in Austin. Following their tradition, Tesla took to Twitter to announce this momentous achievement, accompanied by a photo featuring members of the battery cell team outside Giga Texas.
Initially unveiled during the Battery Day event in 2020, the 4680 battery cell boasts remarkable advancements over conventional lithium-ion batteries. It offers 5 times more energy, 16% greater range, 6 times more power, and is also more cost-effective to produce. Tesla commenced production of the 4680 cell at a pilot facility on Kato Rd in California, located near the Fremont factory.
Produced our 10 millionth 4680 cell at Giga Texas this week! pic.twitter.com/0x2CNoDvCR
— Tesla (@Tesla) June 16, 2023
Upon the completion of Giga Texas construction, the necessary production equipment for the 4680 cell was installed at the factory in late 2021 and throughout 2022, with production commencing later in the year. Prior to this announcement, the most recent update on 4680 cell production at Giga Texas was provided in December, revealing that Tesla had built 868,000 cells, equivalent to the production capacity of approximately 1,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in a single week.
Fast forward six months, and Tesla’s cumulative total of 4680 cells manufactured at Giga Texas has now surpassed 10 million, enabling the assembly of around 11,500 EVs. Considering the time gap of nearly 26 weeks between the two updates, Tesla is currently producing an average of approximately 351,000 4680 cells per week at Giga Texas. While this figure is slightly lower than anticipated, it remains a remarkable accomplishment.
Looking ahead, Tesla will undoubtedly require a significantly higher volume of 4680 cells, especially with the forthcoming launch of the highly anticipated Cybertruck, which was originally expected to utilize the 4680 cells. Given the current production numbers, it wouldn’t be surprising if Tesla opts to launch the Cybertruck with 2170 cells instead, or they may have ample supply for this year, considering the initially limited production of the Cybertruck in 2023, with full-scale production projected for 2024.
Anticipating future demand, Tesla has already taken steps to expand its 4680 cell production. Recent reports indicate that the company has secured a new 210,000 square foot facility near Kato Rd, specifically designated for the production of the 4680 cells.
This achievement marks a significant step forward for Tesla in advancing battery technology and scaling up production. As the company continues its pursuit of sustainable transportation, the successful development and mass production of the 4680 battery cells play a vital role in realizing their vision of a cleaner, greener future.
