Tesla's Bold Battery Leap: Four New 4680 Versions to Power Future EVs and Robotaxi Revolution
1min read Tesla is reportedly gearing up to launch its most ambitious battery project yet, planning to introduce four new versions of the 4680 battery by 2026. Among these is a battery specifically designed for the company's upcoming Robotaxi, which CEO Elon Musk is expected to unveil next week. This project marks Tesla's largest in-house battery development initiative to date, with significant implications for both the company and the broader electric vehicle market.
Four years ago, Tesla introduced the 4680 battery, promising enhancements in energy density and cost-efficiency. However, the path to production has been fraught with challenges. Currently, Tesla is focusing on the dry cathode 4680D, which employs advanced dry electrode coating technology. This innovation is expected to boost energy storage and power significantly, thereby extending vehicle range and reducing charging time. Despite facing manufacturing difficulties, Elon Musk has emphasized that this technology could lower battery production costs by 15%.
The Information reported recently that Tesla has faced setbacks in producing the 4680D, with substantial material losses during test production phases. Nevertheless, the company is determined to enhance production yields, aiming for a 90% success rate by the end of the year and to mass-produce by the second quarter of 2025. Tesla intends to manufacture between 2,000 to 3,000 Cybertrucks equipped with the 4680D weekly, a remarkable increase compared to current numbers.
A closer look at the new battery versions reveals diverse applications. The NC05, nicknamed "workhorse," will power the Robotaxi, while the NC20 is designed for SUVs and Cybertrucks. The NC30 and NC50, which incorporate silicon-carbon anodes, are geared towards performance-focused vehicles like the new Roadster.
This strategy underscores Tesla's goal of vertical integration, providing it with unprecedented flexibility and customization capabilities in electric vehicle design — akin to Apple's use of in-house chips for its iPhones. Although Tesla currently relies heavily on external battery suppliers, such as CATL and Panasonic, the success of these new batteries could signify a pivotal shift towards self-sufficiency.