Tesla is reportedly working on four new versions of its in-house 4680 battery to power its upcoming Cybertruck, robotaxi, and other electric vehicles, according to a report from The Information, citing sources familiar with the plans.
While Tesla has traditionally relied on battery suppliers like Panasonic Energy and LG Energy, the company has been making efforts to increase domestic production of its 4680 battery cells to reduce costs and improve margins.
However, Tesla has encountered significant challenges in developing the 4680 battery. The company has been losing 70% to 80% of the cathodes, a crucial battery component that helps generate energy in EVs, during test production—far higher than the sub-2% defect rate seen with conventional battery manufacturers, according to the report.
In addition to these issues, Tesla has been trying to scale production of the dry-coated version of the 4680 cells, but has struggled to produce them at the desired speed. The company plans to introduce dry-coated cathodes in the Cybertruck batteries by mid-2024, with the goal of producing between 2,000 and 3,000 Cybertrucks per week using the new technology. By 2026, Tesla aims to roll out four distinct versions of the 4680 battery, one of which, code-named NC05, will power its robotaxi fleet.
Tesla is expected to unveil its highly anticipated robotaxi next week as it shifts its focus to AI-powered autonomous technology, looking to tap into new markets amid slowing demand for electric vehicles.
Source: Reuters
