- Tesla’s Struggle with 4680 Battery Cells Continues
- Elon Musk Sets Deadline for Issue Resolution
- Project at Risk of Abandonment
Tesla is facing challenges with its large-format 4680 battery cells, and CEO Elon Musk has issued a deadline for their resolution, according to recent reports.
Sources speaking to The Information (via InsideEVs) revealed that Musk demanded the team working on the cells address production scaling issues by the end of the year, or risk the project being shelved.
Future Tesla cell will make energy, power gains
One specific challenge engineers are facing is preventing the cells, which are larger than Tesla’s previous 2170 cells, from collapsing during use, as per the report.
Introduced in 2020, the 4680 cells are crucial for enabling more affordable electric vehicles and power-intensive applications like the Tesla Semi and Cybertruck. Despite producing a million 4680 cells at a pilot facility in 2022, Tesla is currently only able to manufacture enough cells for about 1,000 Cybertrucks per week. Scaling up to meet Model 3 and Model Y production targets remains a significant hurdle for the company.
Cross-section of future Tesla cell
While Tesla and Panasonic have shown progress in 4680 cell production, challenges persist. Panasonic has warned about technical hurdles affecting mass production, emphasizing the need for new manufacturing techniques. Meanwhile, other battery suppliers are exploring alternative approaches, such as CATL’s cell-to-pack technology, which aims to enhance power delivery efficiency.
Despite the obstacles, Tesla remains committed to advancing battery technology to drive the transition to electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions.