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Panasonic’s 4680 battery mass production set to start by fiscal year ending in March 2024

(Credit: Panasonic)

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In a recent press release, Tesla battery partner Panasonic announced that its energy division will establish a 4680 cell production facility at its Wakayama Factory in western Japan. Mass production of the new battery cells on the site is expected to start in the fiscal year ending in March 2024. 

The initiative is aimed at helping Panasonic expand its electric vehicle battery business worldwide. And while the company’s mass production timeframe seems conservative, Panasonic explained that it is currently in the process of developing 4680 battery cells across multiple locations within Japan. Plans for mass production of the 4680 batteries are being developed today in preparation for the cells’ full rollout in the future. 

A number of updates are expected to be performed in Panasonic’s Wakayama facility. Along with structural improvements to the site, two additional battery production lines and utility facilities are expected to be set up. Productivity verification and mass production of the 4680 battery cells themselves will follow. 

“To contribute to the rapid adoption of EVs, Panasonic has been working to enhance its line-up of automotive lithium-ion batteries. Currently, Panasonic is developing a new high-capacity lithium-ion battery, the “4680”, in multiple locations within Japan. The company will progressively develop production capabilities in preparation for the full rollout. Along with structural improvements, two additional production lines as well as utility facilities will be established at the Wakayama Factory, and productivity verification and mass production are set to begin in the fiscal year ending in March 2024,” Panasonic wrote in its press release

While Panasonic did not reveal its client for its 4680 cells, it would not be surprising if its longtime partner Tesla became one of the biggest buyers of the Japanese company’s upcoming batteries. Tesla and Panasonic’s working relationship has been established over the years, after all, as evidenced by the two companies’ operations in Gigafactory Nevada. 

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Panasonic remains hard at work pushing the envelope on its battery efforts. Back in January, the Japanese company revealed that it would be using recycled battery components from Redwood Materials to produce batteries at Tesla’s Gigafactory Nevada facility by the end of 2022. The announcement is significant, and it highlights the idea that electric vehicle batteries are only getting cleaner and more sustainable over time.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Elon Musk jokes he will join Mr Beast’s “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla” challenge

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again.

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Credit: Elon Musk/X

Following the first quarter Tesla earnings call, CEO Elon Musk seems to have become a bit more relaxed—relaxed enough to joke about fighting a gorilla with 99 other people, at least.

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again and not too busy picking fights with politicians on social media.

The Viral 100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge

Over the weekend, a post on social media platform X went viral. The post itself was quite simple, with user @DreamChasnMike stating that he thinks 100 men could beat one gorilla. “Everybody just gotta be dedicated to the sh*t,” the X user joked. The post exploded on the platform, garnering 284 million impressions as of writing.

The silly question also triggered a massive debate about whether 100 men would really stand a chance against a literal gorilla. Some users even lamented that the premise was a sign of male hubris. Nevertheless, the question proved to be a fun topic on X, with some more dedicated users even posting simulated videos of what the “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge” could look like. 

Mr. Beast and Elon Musk Join In

The premise is quite similar to other viral videos from noted YouTube creator Mr. Beast, so it was no surprise that edited images of Mr. Beast YouTube thumbnails with “100 Men vs a Gorilla” also started spreading on the social media platform. Mr. Beast, who tends to be game to such silly ideas, actually reposted the edited image, joking “Need 100 men to test this, any volunteers?”

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In true Elon Musk fashion, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO noted that he would join the challenge. “Sure, what’s the worst that could happen” Musk wrote in his post on X. Musk’s reply triggered quite a few laughs on X, with some stating that the world probably still needs the CEO.

While silly, Musk’s comment and his recent, more frequent posts about his companies’ products like Starlink and Grok have been received well by his supporters. Over the past months, after all, Musk has been very political and quite confrontational on social media. With Musk soon taking a step back from the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) daily operations, however, it seems like X will soon get a more tempered and lighthearted Elon Musk once more.

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Big Tesla win? Sec Lutnick says cars with 85% domestic content will face zero tariffs

That’s a big competitive advantage for Tesla’s best-selling vehicle.

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Credit: Tesla Europe & Middle East/X

It appears that Tesla may see itself with a notable advantage in the United States.

This is, at least, as per recent comments from United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Lutnick’s Comments

In recent comments to reporters, Lutnick stated that vehicles finished in the United States with 85% domestic content will have no tariff applied, as noted in a report from The Guardian. Automakers that meet this threshold stand to gain an advantage in the U.S. auto sector, especially considering the Trump administration’s aggressive tariffs.

As per Lutnick, the administration’s auto tariffs will apply to foreign carmakers that are building their vehicles in the United States. “This is ‘finish your cars in America and you win’,” Lutnick stated.

Big Tesla Advantage

Lutnick’s comments were received positively by Tesla watchers on social media, many of whom noted that the threshold would probably be met only by the electric vehicle maker’s cars. Teslas that are sold in the United States are built in the United States, and they have consistently ranked among the most American cars in the country for several years running.

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Back in December, for example, American University’s Kogod School of Business released its Made in America Auto Index, which explores the total domestic content of vehicles that are available for purchase today. In its rankings, only three vehicles received a total domestic content score of 85% or higher—the Tesla Model Y, Model Y Long Range, and the Model 3 Performance.

The two Model Y variants received a total domestic content score of 85%, while the Model 3 Performance had a total domestic content of 87.5%. If Secretary Lutnick’s comments are any indication, these three vehicles would be subjected to zero tariffs. This bodes well for Tesla, as the Model Y is the company’s best-selling vehicle by a notable margin.

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Tesla reveals Semi fleet data, shows off new feature and infrastructure plans

The Tesla Semi is one of the company’s most-anticipated releases, and it could be getting even better as things move toward mass production.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla revealed some new Semi fleet data, as well as a new feature the truck will have, and expanded on plans for infrastructure at the ACT Expo today in Los Angeles.

The Tesla Semi is one of the company’s most anticipated releases, and although it has already made its way into several company fleets, other companies are waiting for the automaker to fulfill their orders.

Tesla recently reaffirmed its mass production date of late 2025, hoping to build 50,000 Semi units annually at a new factory in Reno, Nevada.

At the ACT Expo, Tesla revealed some new details about the truck, including current fleet data, a new feature that will be a big selling point for many companies interested in the vehicle, and future infrastructure plans.

Fleet Data

Tesla has already accumulated over 7.9 million miles across its test fleet, the company said at the event. This includes 26 vehicles with over 100,000 miles on them, an impressive feat considering they are only taking regional runs, as of now.

The most notable companies with the vehicle are PepsiCo. and Frito Lay, both of which have spoken highly of the Semi’s ability to handle longer days. Drivers have reported that the Semi has helped them complete 1,000-mile travel days.

The first phase of production units will be integrated into Tesla’s logistics operations for real-world testing, which is something that has already been done.

Customer deliveries are expected to begin next year, something that was reiterated during the company’s most recent earnings call.

Tesla Semi’s New Feature

The semi will equip a 25-kilowatt electric Power Take-Off system that will help companies power auxiliary features like refrigeration, hydraulic systems, compressors, and more.

This is a massive feature, especially for companies that will be transporting perishable goods using the Semi. This will become especially important as it starts making cross-country runs and more companies begin taking delivery of the vehicle as production ramps up.

Expansion to Public and Private Charging Infrastructure

The Semi utilizes the Megacharger for its charging needs, and many sites have been installed already. Frito-Lay is expanding its Megacharger infrastructure by building eight new piles at its Bakersfield, California, factory.

We reported on that earlier this month:

Tesla Semi fleet from Frito-Lay gets more charging at Bakersfield factory

However, Tesla has many more megawatt-level sites that are under construction for public Semi charging: 46, to be exact.

It also said it has more fleet sites that are underway, one of them being the Bakersfield factory’s infrastructure.

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