Panasonic to begin mass producing new Tesla battery by end-March 2024

TOKYO: Panasonic Corp said today it will begin mass production of a new lithium-ion battery for Tesla Inc before the end of March 2024 at a plant in Japan.

Unveiled by the Japanese company in October, the 4680 format (46mm wide and 80mm tall) battery is around five times bigger than those currently supplied to Tesla, meaning the US electric vehicle (EV) maker will be able to lower production costs.

The new powerpack is also expected to improve vehicle range, which could help Tesla lure more drivers to EVs.

Panasonic will set up two new production lines at its Wakayama factory in western Japan to build the batteries, the company said in a news release.

The company did not say how much it will spend on the expansion.

The Nikkei newspaper reported earlier that Panasonic planned to invest 80 billion yen (RM2.9bil) in the plant.