Tesla has confirmed a massive new 4680 battery cell production milestone as it built its 20 millionth cell at Gigafactory Texas.
It has doubled its cumulative 4680 battery cell total in just four months, as it announced in mid-June that it had reached 10 million cells at Gigafactory Texas over the Summer.
Tesla confirmed the milestone on Twitter earlier today:
Just built our 20 millionth 4680 cell at Giga Texas! pic.twitter.com/6PCD6UC9PS
— Tesla (@Tesla) October 11, 2023
The 4680 battery cell was unveiled in 2020 at Battery Day and was Tesla’s solution for more range, power, and longevity in its vehicles. The 4680 battery cell has been in production for several years and could hit the manufacturing stage from third-party companies as soon as next Spring.
The cells were equipped in some Model Y vehicles built at the Texas production facility, but not all. Tesla may be holding onto the cells for the Cybertruck, which is set to hit production and deliveries by the end of the year. This is speculation and is unconfirmed, but it would make sense to put the cell in the all-electric Cybertruck pickup.
20 million cells is enough for roughly 24,000 Model Y vehicles.
CEO Elon Musk said last year that 4680 batteries would be an important piece of Tesla’s plans for the year.
As the company has launched a new Model Y configuration that equips LFP cells, Tesla is putting more variety in its battery cell portfolio by putting different battery chemistries in different vehicles to appropriate range ratings. LFP cells typically hold less density, so they are more suitable for standard-range cars.
4680 cells will be utilized for Tesla’s longer-range vehicles and ones that seek more power for utility. This is a major part of the reason it is ideal for the Cybertruck, as the pickup would likely be utilized for construction or commercial purposes like towing and hauling.
Ramping up the production of the 4680 cell is drastic for Tesla because it will need to support battery availability as suppliers like Panasonic prepare for their initial manufacturing efforts of the battery.
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