Tesla working on four dry cathode 4680 battery variants: The Information

Oct 16, 2024

A recent report from The Information has claimed that Tesla is looking to introduce four variants of dry cathode 4680 cells, which would be used for several vehicles. The new batteries are reportedly expected to be introduced by 2026.

Tesla’s 4680 battery was unveiled during Battery Day in 2020, though the ramp of the next-generation cells has seen some delays. Back in July, however, a report from China claimed that the electric car maker was preparing to mass produce the “complete” version of its 4680 battery cell, which would reportedly feature a positive and negative electrode that are produced using the Tesla dry cathode process.

Not long after the report from China, a Tesla Senior Manufacturing Engineer for 4680 cell development shared a post on social media stating that the first-ever Cybertruck with full dry cathode 4680 cells had been built. Tesla also announced on X in mid-September that it had produced its 100 millionth 4680 battery cell across all its facilities.

I now know what the big deliveries at the Cathode plant are! This is automation equipment critical to producing the cathode material & hints at an additional refinement away from cobalt!Cleia SAS is a French company that specializes in ceramics & EV battery automation,… pic.twitter.com/3bOz4bNxXk

Citing people reportedly familiar with the matter, The Information claimed that Tesla is reportedly pushing forward with its dry cathode 4680 battery plans despite the challenges it has faced with the next-generation cells. These batteries are reportedly codenamed “NC05,” “NC20,” “NC30,” and “NC50.” Each type of dry cathode battery is reportedly designed for different purposes.

The publication claimed that the “NC05” battery would be a “workhorse” of sorts, and it would power the upcoming Robotaxi, which is expected to be unveiled this October 10, 2024. The “NC05” will reportedly be used for the Cybertruck, the Semi, and another, yet-to-be-announced vehicle. The “NC20” dry cathode battery, on the other hand, will reportedly pack more energy, and it would be used for an SUV, the Cybertruck, and other future vehicles.

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The “NC30” and “NC50” dry cathode batteries will reportedly introduce silicon carbon into the anodes, which can hold more lithium than conventional anodes. Tesla will reportedly use the “NC30” for vehicles like the Cybertruck and an all-electric sedan, while the “NC50” would reportedly be used for vehicles that are focused on performance, such as the next-generation Tesla Roadster.

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