These Cheap, Powerful, And High-Density EV Battery Cells Are Set For Mass Production

Panasonic is gearing up to launch the mass production of its long-awaited 4680 lithium-ion battery cells, a breakthrough designed to boost the performance, range, and efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs).

Conventional EV battery packs have typically relied on smaller 2170 cells, measuring 21 mm in diameter and 70 mm in length. Panasonic’s 4680 cells, however, are significantly larger—46 mm wide and 80 mm long—allowing them to store five times the energy of their predecessors. This size increase allows for more efficient use of space and materials, making the battery system both lighter and more compact.

Beyond just packing in more energy, these 4680 cells promise higher peak power delivery, meaning quicker acceleration and potentially faster charging for EVs. They’re also better equipped to manage heat, which improves both efficiency and sustained power output during use. Most importantly these larger batteries are expected to be more affordable.

Tesla originally introduced the 4680 cell concept at its 2020 Battery Day, claiming it would offer a 16% boost in driving range and a 600% increase in peak output power at a reduced cost. While production challenges initially slowed its rollout, Tesla has since refined the design, developing a second-generation 4680 “Cybercell” for its Cybertruck, reducing the weight of each cell from 70 grams to just 49 grams.

Though Panasonic hasn’t yet released the full specifications of its own 4680 cells, it has already retooled a vast 60,907-square-meter factory in Wakayama, Japan, dedicated exclusively to producing these new batteries. Once final evaluations are complete, production will begin, with the factory expected to employ up to 400 workers by March of next year. The Wakayama facility will also serve as a model for future 4680 production plants.

Panasonic’s position as a global leader in EV battery manufacturing is further solidified by partnerships with top automotive companies, including Tesla, Lucid, Toyota, and Ford. The company is also in talks with Subaru and Mazda for future collaborations.

Panasonic President and Executive Officer Kazuo Tadanobu said, “I am thrilled that we are ready to begin mass production of the cutting-edge 4680 cells. This achievement stems from years of experience in cylindrical lithium-ion battery manufacturing, and I’m confident it will revolutionize the battery and EV industries. By adding the 4680 cells to our lineup, we’ll meet a wider range of needs, promote greater EV adoption, and contribute to a more sustainable society.”

In addition to its 4680 battery cell development, Panasonic has signed a deal with Sila, a Washington-based company, to incorporate high-performance silicon anode technology. This new technology promises a 25% improvement in energy density by volume, although it may take several years to reach mass production.

Source: Panasonic