Elon Musk and CATL: The Battle of the Batteries
In the world of electric vehicles, the competition is fierce, especially when it comes to the battle of the batteries. Recently, CATL founder and chairman Robin Zeng took a jab at Tesla CEO Elon Musk, claiming that Musk lacks the expertise in battery technology. In a bold move, Zeng reportedly told Musk that he “sucks” at making batteries, leaving Musk speechless in response.
This exchange sheds light on the ongoing rivalry between CATL, a prominent EV battery maker, and Tesla, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer. The focal point of the discussion was Tesla’s cylindrical battery, known as the 4680. Musk had previously boasted about the 4680 battery, claiming that it would revolutionize production by reducing costs and increasing capacity significantly.
However, despite Musk’s grand promises, the 4680 battery has faced challenges in implementation. While the battery is currently being used in Tesla’s Cybertruck and some variants of the Model Y, it has not led to a significant reduction in Tesla’s prices. This discrepancy has led Zeng to question the viability of the 4680 battery, stating that it is destined to fail.
In addition to criticizing Musk’s battery-making capabilities, Zeng also raised concerns about Musk’s tendency to overpromise and set unrealistic timelines for product releases. Musk’s response to these criticisms was that he uses aggressive timelines to motivate Tesla employees, even if those timelines are not always realistic.
Despite the skepticism from CATL, Tesla remains committed to the development of the 4680 battery. Reports indicate that engineers are working to reduce production costs further and introduce a dry-coated version of the battery cells for the Cybertruck. Musk has also announced plans to release four new versions of the 4680 battery by 2026, with one variant intended to power the Cybercab robotaxi.
While the rivalry between CATL and Tesla continues to unfold, it is clear that both companies are pushing the boundaries of battery technology in the electric vehicle industry. Whether Musk’s ambitious plans for the 4680 battery will come to fruition remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the competition in the EV market shows no signs of slowing down.