Tesla has created a way to get rid of their usual EV battery suppliers’ grasp as they’ve invented the new 4680 Tesla lithium-ion battery to power their vehicles.
Those batteries are confirmed 5 times more powerful than the 2170 batteries that were being used on the Tesla Model Y. In 2020, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, said that they want to reduce the cost of purchasing batteries from Panasonic, LG Energy Solution, and CATL by producing their own EV batteries.
That’s why they invented the 4680 Tesla battery which is more affordable and powerful than the batteries they used to buy. Now, what is inside these batteries that make them so powerful? What Tesla vehicles are using those batteries? When is the Tesla 4680 battery release date?
What is the Tesla 4680 cell?
Tesla released the Tesla 4680 cell battery on Battery Day. It’s a new table 4680 battery form factor, which is going to be used on Tesla vehicles.
Tesla used 2170 cells implanted in their Model Y cars, which was 5 times weaker than the 4680 cells. These batteries are going to increase the energy supply to the vehicles at 100 GWh power. That’s the calculation for 2023. By the end of 2030, Tesla has estimated that they are going to deliver 3 TWh of power to the batteries.
With this sort of power generation, Tesla cars are going to be incomparable in the market. Also, the batteries are going to be monopolistic compared to all other EV batteries.
Which Tesla will get the 4680 battery?
Now, the real question in everyone’s mind is which Tesla vehicle is lucky enough to get the first batch of these batteries? It’s the Tesla Model Y. Right now they are using the older 2170 batteries. But Elon Musk has assured his customers that they are soon going to release the new Tesla Model Y, which is going to have 4680 batteries on it.
But what will the owners of the previous Tesla Model Y do? Are they going to use the older cells? Not necessarily as they can replace it by talking to the Tesla Customer Support group. It’s not mandatory for them to use these batteries. If they don’t want to spend extra money on the batteries, they are free to use the older ones.
Aren’t other Tesla cars going to have these batteries? Not right now. Tesla has announced that the batteries are going to be exclusive only for Tesla Model Y. If you try to fit them in other Tesla models, you will notice some performance issues, or you cannot get your car started. So, it’s safe not to take any risks.
Now, let’s see what Tesla has put into the batteries that they are great and significant tools for innovation in electric cars.
What are Tesla 4680 batteries made of?
First of all, they are lithium-ion batteries. So, the main particles of these batteries are surely lithium. But not only lithium can help a battery generate immense power, but it needs the help of other materials. Let’s see what Tesla is using on its 4680 batteries.
Graphite anode, NCM cathode
Of course, batteries need an anode and a cathode material to generate power. The NCM cathode used on this battery has an indication of 81.6% nickel content. Although Tesla has not revealed how much manganese and cobalt have been used on the cathode, as it’s an NCM-type cathode, there’s no aluminum.
Though there’s no dry cell electrode technology used on the cathode, the anode of the batteries has an electrode. We have expected it to have the dry cell electrode technology used on both cathode and anode or none of them should have it. But it seems only anode is getting the electrode here.
Now, as for the anode, there’s no silicon used there. The material that is active on the anode is graphite. Only 10% to 15% silicon is used on the anode to boost the power of the battery.
272 to 296 Wh/kg energy density
The dimensions of these batteries are 46 mm in diameter and 80 mm in length. It has a tabless design and the total estimated capacity of this cylindrical lithium-ion battery is 26.136 Ah.
The weight of this battery is nearly 355 grams. The total estimated energy is something between 96 Wh to 99 Wh. Most analysts think that the estimated total energy of this battery is 98 Wh.
Now comes the energy density which is 272 to 296 Wh/kg. The amount of density is incomparable to all other batteries on the market.
A Thick steel cell can
This battery is not only great for immense power generation but also has a great cell body, which is thicker than the steel cell used for 2170 batteries. The cause behind such a thicker enclosure might be the need to transfer forces in an organizational cell pack.
Of course, it will make the battery heavier. For 2170 batteries the dimension is 125 to 250 μm and for these batteries, it’s 500-600 μm. You can see the difference by yourself.
Also, when it comes to the energy density, the 2170 cells have 263 to 276 Wh/kg and you know by now that for 4680 cells it’s 272 to 296 Wh/kg.
One steel cell enclosure can make many changes to the performance of a battery.
Final Words
The 4680 Tesla battery is certainly a great invention for electric vehicles. In no time, these batteries are going to rule the EV batteries market.
The most fascinating thing about this battery is that by the end of 2030, it’s going to have a power generation worth 3 TWh.
Right now, you cannot purchase either 2170 cells or 4680 cells from the market, you can replace the one you already have with a new one by contacting Tesla Customer Service.
