Tesla’s recent advancements in its 4680 battery cell program have been hailed as a major milestone for the electric vehicle manufacturer, with CEO Elon Musk lauding the achievement on social media platform X. The company confirmed in its Q4 and FY 2025 update letter that it has successfully started producing 4680 cells with both anode and cathode components manufactured using the dry electrode process.
The significance of the dry-electrode process lies in its ability to revolutionize lithium battery production technology. Elon Musk emphasized the challenges involved in scaling up this process, describing it as a major breakthrough for Tesla’s engineering, production, and supply chain teams, as well as its partner suppliers. Musk commended the Tesla team for overcoming these difficulties, highlighting the impressive feat of making the dry electrode process work at scale.
In a post on X, Tesla’s official account elaborated on the benefits of dry-electrode manufacturing, noting that it reduces costs, energy consumption, and factory complexity while significantly increasing scalability. Bonne Eggleston, Tesla’s Vice President of 4680 batteries, emphasized that achieving scale with dry electrode technology is just the beginning of further advancements in battery production.
Tesla unveiled the dry-electrode concept at Battery Day in 2020, positioning it as a solution to eliminate solvent-based electrode drying, reduce factory footprints, and lower capital expenditures. While the company has been producing 4680 cells for some time, the industrialization of the dry cathode process proved more challenging than anticipated.
In addition to confirming the production of 4680 cells in Austin with both electrodes manufactured using the dry process, Tesla has also announced that it has started producing Model Y vehicles equipped with 4680 battery packs. This strategic move is aimed at mitigating supply chain challenges arising from trade barriers and tariff risks.
Overall, Tesla’s breakthroughs in the 4680 battery program represent a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to revolutionize battery technology and drive the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The successful implementation of the dry-electrode process underscores Tesla’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the automotive industry.