▲ Image source: Korea Automotive Research Institute



Panasonic cooperation, test mass production in progress
Design for Optimized Driving Range and Production Cost

Tesla is moving to optimize technology and maintain cost control by internalizing battery technology, which accounts for 40% of electric vehicle production costs.

The Korea Automotive Research Institute stated in Industry Trends Vol. 89, released on the 4th, that if Tesla succeeds in mass-producing cylindrical batteries, it could significantly improve the productivity and cost competitiveness of electric vehicle batteries.

The medium-to-large cylindrical battery (4680 battery) unveiled by Tesla at Battery Day 2020 is scheduled for mass production in 2022.

Tesla announced that it will begin mass production of the Model Y equipped with a 4,680 (46mm diameter, 80mm height) battery in 2022 and is conducting test production in cooperation with Panasonic.

The 4680 battery is designed with driving range and cost reduction in mind, and the increase in charging time that may occur as the battery size increases is offset by a reduction in electrical resistance through a Tabless design.

Tesla is the only automaker that uses cylindrical batteries.

Tesla strengthened its cost competitiveness by first equipping the Roadster model with 18650 cylindrical batteries in 2008 and then applying 21700 batteries to the Model 3 in 2017.

Cylindrical batteries have a stable production process, are easy to mass-produce, and offer cost competitiveness.It has the upper hand.

However, there is a disadvantage in that there is unusable space due to the cylindrical shape when packaged in pack units.

To address this drawback, Tesla plans to develop and introduce technologies that enhance space efficiency, such as Cell to Pack, a technology that omits modules and assembles cells directly into a pack.

The Korea Automotive Research Institute predicted that the mass production of medium-to-large cylindrical batteries would shake up the electric vehicle market.

Automakers may face difficulties in price competition with electric vehicles equipped with cylindrical batteries, which have an advantage in cost reduction.

In addition, battery companies manufacturing medium- and large-sized prismatic and pouch-type batteries may face a situation where they have to choose whether to develop cylindrical batteries or focus on high-speed processes.

Battery prices, which had been falling every year, are not expected to fall in 2022 compared to the previous year, as the rate of decline has slowed due to supply chain disruptions following COVID-19 and rising nickel prices caused by the war between Russia and Ukraine.