Washington: As per reports, Elon Musk has indicated that Tesla may abandon its 4680 battery cell project if significant improvements aren't achieved by the end of the year. The 4680 cell, Tesla’s first attempt at producing its own battery cells, has faced numerous challenges since its announcement in 2020. It was expected to reduce costs, increase range, and speed up charging, ultimately enabling higher volumes of electric vehicle production at lower costs. However, these goals have yet to be realized.
Tesla has ramped up production of the 4680 cells to the gigawatt-hour scale, but it remains far below the planned volume. Currently, the cells are only used in the 100,000 dollar Cybertruck, after a brief period of use in some Model Y vehicles produced at Gigafactory Texas. The limited deployment of the 4680 cells is believed to stem from their underperformance and higher-than-expected costs.
According to the Information, Musk has set a year-end deadline for Tesla’s 4680 team to resolve these issues. If the problems persist, Musk may abandon efforts to scale the cell. Two individuals interviewed by The Information confirmed this ultimatum.
A major hurdle in the production of the 4680 cell is the dry coating of the cathode, a technology acquired through Tesla’s purchase of Maxwell Technology. This dry coating was anticipated to be a key factor in achieving the promised performance and cost improvements of the 4680 cell.
As the deadline approaches, the future of Tesla’s ambitious battery project hangs in the balance, with significant implications for the company's strategy and electric vehicle production goals.
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