The search for more autonomy in electric cars, whether through more powerful chargers or through the manufacture of larger capacity batteries, continues on many fronts. According to Nikkei Asia, Panasonic would be in the process of starting mass production of new batteries for Tesla cars.
The material released by the site revealed that the latest generation lithium-ion batteries could add between 15% and 20% of autonomy to the cars of the automaker of Elon Musk. This is thanks to the increase in the size and, consequently, the capacity of the battery cells.
The report found that the batteries produced by Panasonic would be called 4680, as they would measure 46 mm x 80 mm. They would be able to give a Tesla Model M, for example, a range of 750 kilometers on a single charge. Currently, the car is capable of driving a maximum of 650 kilometers.
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Panasonic’s idea, according to the publication, is to make the new batteries available to the market as early as 2023. The market, by the way, would not be limited solely to Tesla models, as the manufacturer would be willing to open conversations with other companies. electric car manufacturers.
Panasonic Says It “Studies Various Battery Options”
While the Nikkei Asia folks say the new 4680 batteries will be released in 2023, an email from Panasonic sent to the Reuters report took a different tone.
In the statement, Panasonic executives confirmed that they are working on a more advanced battery, but did not say that it is the 4680, nor that it is about to be released: “We are studying several options for mass production, including a production line test we are establishing this business year. However, we have nothing to announce at this time.”
According to Nikkei Asia, however, not only is the model already defined, but also the production location. The modern lithium-ion batteries are expected to be manufactured at a facility located in western Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture. Production would be at least 10 gigawatt-hours a year, enough to power about 150,000 new Tesla cars. .
