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Tesla patent paves way for compact battery systems that are easier to produce
Tesla’s use of batteries for its electric vehicles are crucial to their function. The company’s battery systems are the industry standard as they offer more range and density than their competitors. But despite this lead, a recently submitted patent for an aggregated battery system could put Tesla’s batteries head-and-shoulders above the rest of the pack, bar none.
While Tesla’s current battery system is top of the line, it could still be more cost-effective. Batteries themselves cost a lot to manufacture for Tesla, and not to mention, a lot to replace for an owner. The aim of the company’s newly submitted patent is to create a more efficient system that would simplify the entire battery component by combining the multiple battery systems into one single module.
Small battery cells are more advantageous than large battery cells for a number of reasons, including time, safety, thermal management and production of energy. All of these factors would highlight the advantages of small battery systems and would allow for an increase in the productivity of battery cells. The smaller cells means “a shorter length of electrode material that is devoid of material defects would be required.”
The new system would arrange the battery cells in an upright manner. The multiple cells would then function with one another by being connected to a series of collector plates with tabs on both the positive and negative ends of the battery. The tabs would then be connected to a positive or negative terminal of the battery cell. This would be done with multiple series of batteries that all have different responsibilities throughout the vehicle. They would all, however, be housed within a single battery container, allowing engineers or service workers easy access to each battery system.
The addition of this new patent could help reduce costs by utilizing smaller battery cells in battery systems. The patent states that while production will increase due to the reduced size and need for materials, the small cells can increase the complexity of the manufacturing of the systems. This makes Tesla’s batteries even easier to produce.
“For instance, with use of many small format cells, it is envisioned that several electrical interconnects could be required to accomplish the conveyance of current from the large number of small format cells and this may also contribute to the complexity in design and manufacture of the battery system. The battery cell could also have some functionalities that may be redundant when aggregated into the battery system. As each battery cell would be manufactured independently of others, time and resources would need to be spent thereafter for combining the cells and for forming the interconnects to the current collectors typically, though a welding, or soldering process. Hence, there is a need to produce battery modules in a simplified manner.”
The innovations offered by Tesla’s recently published patent could allow the electric car maker to equip its vehicles with battery packs that are both compact and high-density. This would be pivotal to upcoming vehicles such as the next-generation Roadster, the Tesla Pickup Truck, and the Tesla Semi, all of which are expected to require large batteries to achieve their target range, and thus would require large numbers of cells from the electric car maker.
Tesla is the head of the pack in terms of batteries, as the company’s vehicles have considerably longer ranges than the vehicle’s of its competitors. For example, a Tesla Model S Performance variant contains a 100 kWh battery, with a WLTP estimated 365 miles of range when charged to its capacity. The newly released Porsche Taycan Turbo S contains a 93.4 kWh battery with a WLTP estimated 256 miles of range on a full charge.
The full text of Tesla’s novel battery design patent could be accessed here.
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Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Tesla Diner, the all-in-one Supercharging and dining experience located in Los Angeles, will transition to a full-service restaurant in January, staff said, as Chef Eric Greenspan said he would take on a new project.
A report from the Los Angeles Times says Greenspan confirmed through a text that he would leave the Diner and focus on the opening of his new Jewish deli, Mish.
Greenspan confirmed to the paper:
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Greenspan took on the job at the Tesla Diner and curated the menu back in March, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and items that would play on various company products, like Cybertruck-shaped boxes that hold burgers.
Tesla Cybertruck leftovers are the main course at the Supercharger Diner
The Tesla Diner has operated as somewhat of a self-serve establishment, where Tesla owners can order directly from their vehicles through the center touchscreen. It was not exclusive to Tesla owners. Guests could also enter and order at a counter, and pick up their food, before sitting at a booth or table.
However, the report indicates Tesla is planning to push it toward a sit-down restaurant, full of waiters, waitresses, and servers, all of which will come to a table after you are seated, take your order, and serve your food.
It will be more of a full-featured restaurant experience moving forward, which is an interesting move from the company, but it also sounds as if it could be testing for an expansion.
We know that Tesla is already considering expanding locations, as it will be heading to new areas of the country. CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla will be considering locations in Palo Alto near the company’s Engineering HQ, and in Austin, where its HQ and Gigafactory Texas are located.
Musk said that the Diner has been very successful in its first few months of operation.
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Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
Tesla has added a new and somewhat surprising fee to the Robotaxi program. It’s only surprising because it was never there before.
Tesla shocked everyone when it launched its Robotaxi platform and offered riders the opportunity to tip, only to tell them they do not accept tips. It was one of the company’s attempts at being humorous as it rolled out its driverless platform to people in Austin.
As it has expanded to new cities and been opened to more people, as it was yesterday to iOS users, Tesla has had to tweak some of the minor details of the Robotaxi and ride-hailing platforms it operates.
First Look at Tesla’s Robotaxi App: features, design, and more
With more riders, more vehicles, and more operational jurisdictions, the company has to adjust as things become busier.
Now, it is adjusting the platform by adding “Cleaning Fees” to the Robotaxi platform, but it seems it is only charged if the vehicle requires some additional attention after your ride.
The app will communicate with the rider with the following message (via Not a Tesla App):
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
The cost of the cleaning will likely depend on how severe the mess is. If you spill a soda, it will likely cost less than if you lose your lunch in the back of the car because you had a few too many drinks.
This is an expected change, and it seems to be one that is needed, especially considering Tesla is operating a small-scale ride-hailing service at the current time. As it expands to more states and cities and eventually is available everywhere, there will be more situations that will arise.
The messes in vehicles are not a new situation, especially in a rideshare setting. It will be interesting to see if Tesla will enable other fees, like ones for riders who request a ride and do not show up for it.
News
Tesla Model Y sold out in China for 2025
Customers who wish to get their cars by the end of the year would likely need to get an inventory unit.
It appears that the Model Y has been sold out for 2025 in China. This seems to be true for the four variants of the vehicle that are currently offered in the country.
Tesla China’s order page update
A look at Tesla China’s order page for the Model Y shows a message informing customers that those who wish to guarantee delivery by the end of the year should purchase an inventory unit. This was despite the Model Y RWD and Model Y L showing an estimated delivery timeline of 4-8 weeks, and the Model Y Long Range RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD showing 4-13 weeks.
As per industry watchers, these updates on the Model Y’s order page suggest that Tesla China’s sales capacity for the remainder of 2025 has been sold out. The fact that estimated delivery timeframes for the Model Y Long Range RWD and AWD extend up to 13 weeks also bodes well for demand for the vehicle, especially given strong rivals like the Xiaomi YU7, which undercuts the Model Y in price.
Tesla China’s upcoming big updates
What is quite interesting is that Tesla China is still competing in the country with one hand partly tied behind its back. So far, Tesla has only been able to secure partial approval for its flagship self-driving software, FSD, in China. This has resulted in V14 not being rolled out to the country yet. Despite this, Tesla China’s “Autopilot automatic assisted driving on urban roads,” as the system is called locally, has earned positive reviews from users.
As per Elon Musk during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, however, Tesla is expecting to secure full approval for FSD in China in early 2026. “We have partial approval in China, and we hopefully will have full approval in China around February or March or so. That’s what they’ve told us,” Musk said.
Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
