4680 Battery Tesla Range (Model S, Model X, Model Y, Model 3) -Real Testing Data –  Complete Guide 2024

Assuming the electric car behemoth can iron out its manufacturing kinks, Tesla’s next-generation battery will provide more Range and power at a lower price. Let’s get to know the 4680 battery tesla range for Tesla models.

The new Model Y with 4680 batteries have an estimated EPA range of 269 miles, Model S has a range of 405 miles, Model X has a range of 348 miles, and the Model 3 has 263 miles.

 Lowest Price to Highest PriceRange
Tesla Model 3 Long Range

$57,990-$61,990


358 miles
Tesla Model 3 Performance

$61,990-$64,990


315 miles
Tesla Model Y Long Range

$65,990-$74,990


320 miles
Tesla Model Y Performance

$69,990-$73,990


315 miles
Tesla Model X

$120,990-$137,490

348 miles

Tesla Model X Plaid

$138,990-$148,990


311-333 miles
Tesla Model S

$104,990-$113,990


320 miles
Tesla Model S Plaid

$135,990-$144,990


396 miles

What is the range of the 4680 Model Y?

Tesla claimed that the additional power, improved range, and durability would result from using 4680 cells. Although the Model Y Long Range AWD (2,170 cells) is the current “basic” model, the new Model Y AWD (4,680 cells) is $2,000 cheaper but has far less range. 

The new Model Y with 4680 batteries have an estimated EPA range of 269 miles and which is much less than the 330 miles offered by the Extended Range version with 2170 cells.

Tesla Model Y

In essence, we used the already-existing foils to create this shingled spiral, which allowed dozens of connections into the active substance

Drew Baglino,Tesla SVP

However, the 4680 battery is only currently being mass-produced for Model Ys at Tesla’s Texas facility.

It has yet to make its way to the Shanghai (China), Fremont (California, USA), or Berlin facilities (Germany). However, the Fremont facility produces both the Long Range and the Performance models, whereas the Texas factory only produces the base “Model Y AWD” model.

Reuters believes this might bring down the starting price of a Tesla Model Y Long Range in the United States from $US67,990 ($AU101,300) to around $US62,550 ($AU93,200).

The standard Model Y with rear-wheel drive ($72,300 plus on-road expenses and order/delivery fees) and the all-wheel drive Model Y Performance ($96,700 plus on-road costs) are available to Australian customers.

4680 versus 2170 Battery Pack

According to Tesla, the new ‘4680’ lithium-ion battery cells utilized at the Fremont facility are superior to the current ‘2170’ cells in terms of energy, power, and Range produced by the latter by a factor of five, six, and 16 percent, respectively.

Every one of the 4,400 cells in the 2170 battery pack used in the Tesla Model Y needs four spot welds. The 4680 pack has fewer cells and requires fewer welds to produce due to its smaller size (830 cells with two welds per cell).

Reuters’ sources claim that the 4680 battery pack is superior to the 2170 packs in many ways, including its ability to be integrated with the electric vehicle’s chassis, a weight reduction of about 55 kilograms, and a price reduction of $US500 ($AU745) to $US600 ($AU900) per pack.

Although scaling out production of the new battery across the company’s several plants is a top priority, Reuters reports that Tesla is encountering some challenges when making the high-tech pack.

4680 Tesla Battery Range-Model X

The Model X is Tesla’s most significant and longest-serving electric vehicle. Up until, of course, the introduction of the Cybertruck. Despite being Tesla’s third Model overall, the Model X has been in production longer than all save the flagship Model S sedan.

The Model X, built on Tesla’s second-generation platform, had its debut in 2012, with production beginning in 2014. Therefore, Tesla shelved the SUV project to concentrate on producing enough Model S sedans to fulfill customer demand.

Tesla Model X

The table shows the price from the base model to the top model for Tesla Model X with its features

FeaturesFeatures of Tesla Longe Range Model X
ColorWhite
MotorDual-motor
RangeLong Range
Minimum Cost$94,990
Maximum Cost$121,490
Driving CapabilityFull-Safe Driving
Interior ColorCream
WheelsTurbine
Features of Tesla Long Range Model X

Due to manufacturing delays, especially with the Model X’s distinctive Falcon Wing doors, the vehicle was delivered in the autumn of 2015. However, the Model X quickly became a best-seller among electric cars throughout the globe.

Despite the debut of the Model 3 sedan and the Model Y crossover utility vehicle, sales have slowed since then.

However, a new vehicle with the Plaid powertrain will be available to buyers in 2022 after the Model X’s comprehensive redesign in 2021. Some customers with longer waiting times are still hoping to get their brand-new Model X electric cars before the end of the year, despite delayed deliveries.

Recently, a few brand-new Model X electric cars were sighted outside Tesla’s Fremont facility, rekindling faint hopes for on-time delivery. Tesla is still waiting for the official EPA ranges for the updated Model X to be released. The vehicles, however, were discovered in a Fremont parking area that Tesla typically uses to truck to distribution facilities. 

This may indicate that Model X deliveries will be approved sooner rather than later. Tesla’s current estimated delivery timeframe for the Model X Long Range and the Model X Plaid is May–June 2022 for consumers making new orders today in the United States.

The Tesla Model X is now offered in two distinct configurations:

  • The standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) Long Range trim and the new front-, rear-, and
  • All-wheel drive (FWD) Plaid powertrain.

Both models have 91 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the most of any Tesla model. 

Updation in Tesla Model X

The Range of the updated Tesla Model X Long Range is said to be 360 miles, 11 miles fewer than the Range of the previous generation. Despite its reduced Range, the Long Range Model X can still speed up to 149 mph and sprint to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.

The Model X Performance trim, which was formerly available, has been discontinued in favor of the new Model X Plaid, which has three motors like the Model S. It is predicted that the future Plaid Model X has a range of 340 miles, a peak speed of 149 miles per hour, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 2.5 seconds.

When equipped with the 22-inch wheel update, the Model X Plaid can reach 163 miles per hour, but the projected Range drops by 10 miles (330 mi).

The Falcon-Wing doors of the Tesla Model X are still there, but the inside is all-new for 2021. The Model X has borrowed the Model Y’s glass panoramic roof to protect its occupants from harmful U.V. rays and infrared radiation.

Only the Model X has a tow hitch as standard equipment and can pull up to 5,000 pounds. A tow hitch may be added to the smaller Model Y for an extra cost. Seven people may ride in a Tesla, but only in the Model X or the Model Y. More Model Y-exclusive features have made their way into the Model X, including the heat pump and chrome delete exterior.

We’ve included the Range of prices, from the base model to the top-of-the-line option, to offer you the most accurate picture of what a Model X will cost you. Please consider that all posted prices are valid as of the date/time indicated and do not include applicable taxes, destination charges, or federal tax credits.

4680 Tesla Battery Range-Model 3

Because the redesign has not been announced, the people spoke on condition of anonymity. They said that one goal of the project, codenamed “Highland”, is to simplify the Model 3’s interior by reducing the number of components and complexity, emphasizing the display, which Tesla customers highly value. 

Two sources have confirmed that Tesla’s Shanghai factory and the Fremont, California facility will begin manufacturing the updated battery-powered vehicle, which may have cosmetic and performance upgrades over the current Model 3.

Tesla Model 3

The table below shows the features of the tesla model S

PropertiesSpecificationsRemark
Component typeBattery/ CellPower supply
Battery typeLi-ionTechnology
Model No4680Tesla 4680 battery
Size/ dimension46 ✖ 80 mmStandard (dd ✖ hh)
Voltage3.7 voltNominal (std).
Features of Tesla Model S

They started manufacturing of the revised Model 3 would begin in the third quarter of 2023 at Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory.

The date at which production would begin at the Fremont facility and the magnitude of the cost reductions that Tesla would realize from the redesign were known before the company met with its suppliers.

The initiative shines a focus on a method of vehicle development pioneered by Tesla and now being adopted by other manufacturers, including Toyota Motor (7203.T), to reduce complexity and manufacturing costs.

Despite CEO Elon Musk’s recent attention to his complicated purchase of Twitter, an area of worry for Tesla investors, this is an example of an important initiative at Tesla that has proceeded forward.

The Model 3’s facelift follows closely on the heels of last year’s arrival of Tesla’s Model S, a reimagined luxury E.V. car. To complement the 17-inch electronic display that serves as the redesign’s focal point, a yoke similar to that used in airplanes was installed instead of a conventional steering wheel.

The Model Y crossover outsells the Model 3, Tesla’s entry-level electric car, starting at a little under $47,000 in the United States. Because it produces so few vehicles, Tesla’s four current offerings are susceptible to aesthetic changes. 

The current Model 3 has been updated from the version that first went on sale in 2017, according to Ed Kim, president of AutoPacific Group, which monitors market trends and production. This is because Tesla updates battery performance, information, and entertainment options through software, even if the vehicle appears unchanged.

Using a Tesla Model S you are able to spend less time at the charging station and more time exploring the open road with a range of up to 405 miles and the ability to use the world’s largest & fastest fast charging network. The Model S Plaid boasts the highest top speed of any production car and the fastest acceleration.

The updated battery design for all Model S variants allows for repeated track laps with no discernible performance reduction. Platforms based on the Model S combine engine and battery technologies to provide unprecedented speed, range, and economy. With the new thermal design of the module and pack, you can charge up much quicker and have greater power & endurance in any situation.

Tesla 4680 battery cell structural pack production 

The new Tesla Model Y, which has a structural battery pack with 4,680 cells, is showing promising early results in terms of charging speed and energy density.

How much better is the 4680 battery? The past of 4680 is far less unclear. To be introduced in 2020 during Tesla’s annual Battery Day event, these batteries provide a more potent, flat-pack alternative to Tesla’s previous EV batteries. 

We anticipate a 54 percent boost in range for Tesla EVs thanks to the Tesla 4680s. Also, using these batteries will help lighten the load of EVs. Along with the 4680s’ enormous mAh capacity, this will improve acceleration while cutting costs and minimizing environmental impact.

After that, we spent a few weeks learning more. The new Model Y Standard, constructed in Texas, has a starting price of $59,990, a range of 279 miles, accelerates from 0-60 mph in five seconds and comes standard with a magnetic center console armrest and a parcel shelf. 

In particular, we are thinking about how this new battery cell and battery pack structure will affect things.

Explaining Tesla’s New 4680 Battery Tesla Range Cell in Detailed

At Battery Day, Tesla did not hold back, introducing, among other things, a new tabletop 4680 cell form factor.

The tabs are no longer necessary, energy density is increased, thermal properties are equivalent to smaller cells, the power-to-weight ratio is enhanced, production is simplified, and costs are reduced thanks to the new form factor. Let us go through all the benefits of the new form factor.

The table below shows the Tesla models along with their range.

ModelRange
Model 3 Long Range334 miles
Model 3 Performance315 miles
Model S375 miles
Model S Plaid348 miles
Model X332 miles
Model X Plaid313 miles
Model Y Long Range318 miles
Tesla models along with their range

When referring to Tesla vehicles, which ones do the 4680 batteries power? The first batch of Tesla Model Y crossovers powered by the new cell and associated structural battery pack has been sent out. Tesla’s Model Y crossovers with 4,680 battery cells have begun shipping to customers.

While the 4680 is much bigger than the 18650 and five times the size of 2170, it will almost certainly find its way into more devices than only the Model Y shortly.

The Model Ys produced at Tesla’s German facility includes the 4680 batteries. The German Gigafactory started installing the 4680 in around 1,000 Model Ys per week in June 2022.

By the end of the year, the factory is projected to increase weekly output from the current 1,000 to 2,000 to between 2,000 and 3,500. Plans call for the 4680 battery in many Tesla vehicles, not only the Y. 

The 4680-type is planned for inclusion in all models, including the Cybertruck. It’s more reasonably priced and offers more Range per charge. These two features are key selling points for Tesla and its complete range of electric automobiles.

Only Model Ys produced at the Gigafactories in Texas and Germany now include the 4680.

When Will Mass Production Of The 4680 Battery Begin?

Turns out the rumors about the temporary software locking of the true potential of the 4680 Model Ys may be true. A little birdie told me that there are 4680 Model Ys currently being driven by Tesla employees with a 500-mile range

Doctor Jack

Investors and industry insiders have been becoming more impatient over the last few months regarding when 4680 battery manufacturing would ramp up to full speed. The 4680 has a great deal of importance for Tesla. Numerous people wonder how long it will be until Tesla makes these batteries in sufficient quantities for widespread use. 

Panasonic has been more forthcoming with information than Tesla has. The corporation reported at the beginning of June 2022 that they had provided Tesla prototypes and were waiting for clearance. Once the long-awaited green light is given, Panasonic has roughly a billion dollars put aside to cover the expenses of manufacturing on a massive scale.

When will the 4680 battery start to be produced in mass? Panasonic has just stated that they would begin supplying Tesla with its cylindrical batteries (standard 4680) beginning in March 2024, thanks to newly acquired manufacturing facilities. Panasonic is taking a sufficiently extended trial run time to enhance the fullness of its mass production technology to meet the pressing demand for the 4680 battery.

The table below shows the Tesla models with their battery warranty.

ModelBattery warranty
Model 3 Standard Range8 years or 100k miles
Model 3 Long Range/Performance8 years or 120k miles
Model Y Long Range8 years or 120k miles
Model Y Performance8 years or 120k miles
Model S8 years or 150k miles
Model X8 years or 150k miles
Tesla models with their battery warranty.

The Upside, the Downside, and What It Means for You of Tesla’s 4680 Battery Innovation The production of Tesla’s groundbreaking 4680 battery pack is moving more leisurely than expected.

At Tesla’s “battery day” presentation two years ago, CEO Elon Musk unveiled a revolutionary battery cell meant to vastly enhance Range, decrease manufacturing costs, and allow power-hungry future goods like the Cybertruck pickup and Semi freight transporter.

However, the manufacturing ramp is still in the early stages, despite Musk’s claim that Tesla will produce enough new batteries for 1 million or more cars per year by 2020.

Now that the introduction of the Cybertruck is scheduled for the middle of 2023, Tesla expects to have significantly increased production by the end of the year. At last week’s shareholder meeting, Musk told investors, “I expect we’ll be in high-volume manufacturing by the end of the year.”

First used in a limited run of Model Y crossovers assembled at Tesla’s newest facility in Austin, Texas, the 4680 cylindrical battery was introduced in the company’s second fiscal quarter.

According to the car company, the 4680-cell design will immediately increase the driving Range by 16% compared to the 2170-cell method used in the previous battery packs. There will be a net increase of 56% and a reduction in manufacturing costs of 54% when new battery materials and vehicle designs become available.

Despite opening a new factory in Texas, Tesla is still primarily relying on 2170 cells since 4680 productions have been so limited. With the new “structural pack,” which integrates cells into the body structure to decrease size and weight, Tesla was anticipated to take advantage of the more significant new cells.

On Tesla’s earnings call for the second quarter, Musk remarked, “To be clear, we are presently building the vehicles with the 2170 cells.” “It bears repeating, however, that we have sufficient 2170 cells to cover full annual vehicle manufacturing. Now we can function without 4680. The year 4680 will be pivotal in 2019.”

What Is The Connection Between The 4680 Cells, The Supercharger System, And The Refining Of Lithium?

Tesla 4680 production hits the milestone of 868k cells in seven days

Tesla has long advocated for boosting the E.V. battery supply chain, claiming the optimistic forecast on worldwide adoption in future years would create an unavoidable deficit supply scenario. Tesla has revealed ambitious ambitions to launch its entrance into lithium refining. It has also secured many long-term contracts for the supply of raw materials in recent years.

What connection exists between the 4680 cells, the supercharger system, and lithium refining? Tesla’s fourth generation of lithium-ion EV batteries is the 4680. Due to its increased size compared to the 18650, 2170, and prismatic-type batteries that came before it, this EVB from Tesla has a greater operating range and more robust performance.

Innovations in Next-Generation Battery Technology

It has been nearly two years since Tesla announced that its 4680 battery cells would drastically reduce production costs. The next-generation Tesla battery cell, measuring 46mm in diameter and 80mm in height, has the potential to be 5x more powerful than its predecessors while also allowing for higher cost reductions thanks to its streamlined production process.

The 4680 battery cells’ reduced complexity in production and materials is the primary factor in the substantial savings they make possible.

The 4680 battery cells are produced using a cutting-edge technique called dry-coating.

Electrodes (the cathodes and anodes that “store and release charge”) in a battery cell are processed with binders that use significantly less liquid in dry-coating, thereby eliminating the drying process that the traditional wet-coating method necessitates and, in turn, reducing the massive costs associated with the processing space, time, labor, and energy required to facilitate the drying process.

For example, the dry-coating technique only uses one-tenth as much power as the traditional wet-coating method and one-tenth as much space in the manufacturing facility. Tesla’s capital expenditure in battery manufacturing may be cut by at least a third thanks to the dry-coating technology used to make the 4680 cells and other cost reductions obtained via decreased time and labor needs in the manufacturing process.

Next-Generation Battery Technology for Tesla

Compared to its predecessor, the 4680 battery cell allows a considerably more accessible and streamlined pack formulation and vehicle integration procedure. A battery pack for the current Model Y needs more than 4,000 2170 cells. As a result of the 4680 cells being five times more powerful, the next-generation battery packs will only need about 800 cells. 

With the more giant, more potent cells, pack assembly costs may be decreased by cutting the number of connecting “weld points” from four per cell in the previous generation, the 2170s, to two per cell in the next generation, 4680s. The 4680 battery packs are designed to be installed below the car, which may “slim the amount of material required” and lower the vehicle’s total weight, saving up to $600.

While the present Model Y’s Range is improved by 16% thanks to the 4680 battery packs, “improvements in battery materials and vehicle architecture” might allow for a further gain of more than 50% in the future.

Expenses for 4680 Battery Pack

In summary, the unique 4680 cells in Tesla’s next-generation battery packs may cut prices by up to $5,500, or 50%, compared to the present 2170 battery packs.

This would allow Tesla to reduce the beginning price of the Model Y from its current level of about $65,000 by a comparable amount, or roughly $5,300, or 8%. As it continues to work through manufacturing issues to drive volumes towards scale, the business is anticipated to generate cost reductions in the $3,000 area for each pack built using the 4680 cells.

With the 4680 battery packs, Tesla could produce more affordable vehicles to fight the onslaught of competition from both E.V. pure-plays and traditional auto OEMs, all while maintaining its industry-leading vehicle margins.

Over 300 electric car models are expected to be available in the European automotive market by the mid-decade, according to the European Federation for Transport and Environment. Over 130 electric car models are expected to be available in the United States by 2026, according to IHS Markit, roughly equal to the number of ICE options available on the market now.

Miles by Charging 4680 Battery Pack

Reportedly offering a shorter range of 279 miles on a single charge than the 2170-equipped Long Range Model Y’s 318 miles, the updated lineup of Model Y cars with the 4680 battery packs are presently available in limited quantities at Tesla’s Texas factory.

Since the E.V. manufacturer decided to include a “smaller 50 kWh battery pack in the new car,” the Texas-made Long Range Model Y with a 4680 kWh battery has less Range than the Fremont-made version with a 2170 kWh battery, while being over $10,000 less.

Since concern about driving distance is still a significant deterrent to E.V. adoption, this has prevented people from jumping on the cheaper deal. The strategic decision to retrofit the 4680-equipped Model Ys with a smaller pack may seem counterintuitive to Tesla’s goals of increasing margins into previously uncharted territory.

Still, a closer look reveals that this allows the company to manage better, refine, and scale its technology before the product becomes a function of supply availability like the rest of its auto business today.

The cost of batteries is still the primary factor affecting the price of electric cars. The development and rollout of the 4680 battery packs by Tesla are an extension of the company’s continuous efforts to aggressively reduce associated costs, hence allowing for better E.V. pricing that is necessary to stimulate broader adoption.

The move is a continuation of Tesla’s conscious effort to replace the more costly nickel-cobalt-aluminum (“NCA”) batteries previously installed in its standard-range E.V.s with lithium-iron-phosphate (“LFP”) cells. 

The LFP batteries now provided by Chinese battery maker CATL have a shorter range than the NCA-composition cells used in the long-range versions, but they match Tesla’s standard-range standards and are cheaper to build.

Expected to supplement Tesla’s usage of LFP batteries in its standard-range cars and unleash additional margin improvement over the longer term is the forthcoming scale manufacturing of the 4680 battery pack that will be utilized in its extended-range models.

In addition to boosting Tesla’s long-term market share gain, the manufacture of the 4,680 battery packs at its Texas factory would allow customers of the Model Y to take advantage of the $7,500 tax credit recently enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Profitability by Increasing Charging Coverage

Even the White House has published a statement lately describing Tesla’s plans to open up its Supercharges (the most extensive public charging network in America) to electric vehicle owners who don’t own Teslas.

In late 2021, Tesla will begin a “non-Tesla Supercharger trial” in Europe, where it already maintains one of the world’s most significant and most extensive public charging networks. With the extension of this program later this year, E.V. owners in the United States will have access to Tesla’s nationwide network of “over 1,400 Supercharger stations and 7,000 charger components.”

AC and DC Powers

Most of Tesla’s Superchargers use D.C. quick charging technology (“D.C. chargers”). Powerful DC chargers may shorten the typical 20-hour charging process to a matter of minutes. Currently, specific Tesla models can be fully charged from zero to 200 miles in under 15 minutes using the company’s network of Superchargers. D.C. charging is necessary to charge electric, light, and heavy passenger cars quickly.

This requires specialized equipment that can produce up to 1,000 Volts and 500 or more Amps of current. To charge the electric vehicle’s battery, first, electricity is transformed from “alternating current” (A.C.) to “direct current” (D.C.) using an AC-to-DC converter. The D.C. power is delivered to the vehicle using a DC-to-DC converter.

The Supercharger network is currently exclusive to Tesla vehicle owners and can only be used with a true Tesla plug. To replicate the success seen in its China market in recent years, the endeavor will also be crucial to bolstering domestic E.V. adoption tailwinds for Tesla.

As was said before, range anxiety is a significant barrier to E.V. widespread adoption. The patterns point to continued success for the E.V. manufacturer monetizing its extensive network. Tesla’s Superchargers are now being deemed the most dependable public charging facility, gaining the “highest satisfaction rating” in the latest J.D. Power poll of E.V. owners.

What Does Tweet Say About 4680 Battery Tesla Range?

  1. New Tesla Model Y from Texas Gigafactory (with new 4680 battery structural pack).
New Tesla Model Y from Texas Gigafactory (with new 4680 battery structural pack)
  1. Model Y with the 4680 structural battery pack next to the Tesla stand is the VW stand.
Model Y with the 4680 structural battery pack next to the Tesla stand is the VW stand.
  1. Tesla’s future 4680 battery cell
Tesla’s future 4680 battery cell

A New Tesla Battery Doesn’t Perform Like They Claimed It Would

On the surface, Musk’s unveiling of Tesla’s 4680 battery to the market would profoundly impact the E.V. industry. It claimed to be 56% cheaper per kilowatt-hour, generate more power, ship in a structural pack (improving crash safety), be less susceptible to disruptions in the supply chain, be better for the environment, and charge more quickly. 

Such a battery would allow Tesla to sell its $25,000 electric car, making it possible to build the Cybertruck and the second-generation Roadster. Although Tesla has recently begun installing 4680 packs in its vehicles, recent teardowns have shown that something is off, suggesting that Tesla may be trying to hide something.

How frequently do Tesla batteries have technical faults? After 100,000 miles, most Tesla owners report just a 5-percent decline in battery life. Elon Musk claims that the range of a Tesla battery is 300,000 to 500,000 kilometers. With the typical weekly commute being 273 miles, a Tesla battery has a lifespan of 21–35 years.

Cost to charge a Tesla Model S

LocationRate of ElectricityPrice 
California$0.14$9.86
Colorado$0.12$8.37
Hawaii$0.30$21.23
Massachusetts$0.21$14.49
Cost to charge a Tesla Model S

Cost to charge a Tesla Model X

LocationRate of ElectricityPrice 
California$0.14$10.14
Colorado$0.12$8.60
Hawaii$0.30$21.84
Massachusetts$0.21$14.90
Cost to charge a Tesla Model X

Because of its bigger size, each battery pack may utilize fewer cells of the same capacity. Thus, the battery pack’s manufacturing and assembly costs are significantly reduced. The cells are not bolted down in a box as in every other electric car. but are instead effectively embedded in a resin brick, contributing to the overall savings. 

This makes it possible to incorporate the battery pack into the chassis, enhancing the vehicle’s strength, handling, and safety. However, this method of pack assembly is far more cost-effective since fewer processes are involved.

Internal modifications to the battery were substantial. The 4680’s anode (the opposing end of the battery) is made of silicon rather than graphite. 

4680 Battery Chemistry

Moreover, the battery chemistry is unique. High manganese, low nickel cathode (the positive end of the battery) would be used instead of the standard NMC 811 (80% nickel, 10% manganese, and 10% cobalt) cathode. Because of the high environmental and humanitarian cost of cobalt mining and the wild price swings in nickel, the 4680 has a smaller footprint. 

It should have a more stable and affordable cathode pricing. Additionally, the electrodes (both cathode and anode) are dry-coated as opposed to the more common wet coating. Manufacturing is accelerated, and costs are reduced because of this.

Look of 4680

The 4680 has a sleek, table-free layout. This design utilizes a large folded flap at either end, unlike standard batteries, which employ a thin tab to link the anode and cathode to the positive and negative terminals. 

4680 Cell

A cylindrical battery’s actual battery looks like a rolled-up piece of paper with tiny metal tabs protruding from the ends if you know what I mean. However, the 4680 features a flat metal plate-like surface that links to the terminals through a metal strip on either end of the rolled-up battery. This not only allows for ultra-fast charging and high-power outputs but also lowers production costs by reducing the number of assembly stages required.

However, some recent disassemblies of mass-produced 4680 batteries have turned up some disturbing information. Nearly all of the revolutionary improvements Musk touted for 2020 have yet to be implemented.

The bigger size and flat-pack construction are also features of these batteries. After all, their 46mm width and 80mm height give them the form factor from which they get their name, and the tableless design makes production a breeze. Like us, they rely on the structural battery pack, but their equipment is depleted.

These disassemblies revealed that the anode and cathode are both made of graphite and NMC 811, respectively. Hence the cell’s internal chemistry is unchanged from the earlier 2170 cell. This implies that there will be no gains in charging speed or power density.

This cell is still sensitive to increases in the price of nickel, and it is still using methods of extracting the metal that is harmful to ecosystems and people. The energy density is already low since the cell walls are three times thicker than in a 2170 cell.

Both wet and dry coating accomplishes the same goal with visually comparable results, making it almost impossible to tell which approach was used on a given electrode. This approach is the bottleneck that is preventing Tesla from speeding up manufacturing. Each time they increase production, the dry coating quality declines, and fewer and fewer cells pass quality control, driving up the price per cell considerably. 

Nonetheless, if they succeed in perfecting this technology, the cost per cell will drop dramatically. It is reasonable to assume that Tesla would make a massive deal by dry coating the 4680 cells. Since this is not the case, it is doubtful that the present 4680 cells are dry-coated.

Do not get me wrong; the increased size and structural pack architecture give Tesla a price edge. Tesla’s price for a 4680 pack for a Model Y is $7,400, a savings of $3,100 compared to the price of a 2170 pack. But this falls well short of the intended 56% savings, and it needs to consider potential improvements in energy density, Range, performance, or charging speeds. 

Manufacturing of 4680

Tesla’s secrecy over the origins of these 4680 cells is highly sly. Their silence is a strategy to fool consumers into thinking they are getting a vehicle with an advanced battery. However, this is different.

Is it reasonable to be irritated with Tesla about this, though? After all, cutting-edge technologies include things like silicon anodes, dry-coated electrodes, and cobalt-free cathodes. Can we count on Tesla to cram all that into a battery and then mass-produce it for pennies on the dollar?

Musk should gradually include these features in the battery assembly process. Get going with the simple stuff, including the overall shape, the touchscreen interface, and the battery pack’s structural construction. The next step is to begin dry-coating, after which you may add unique interior chemistry. 

As a result, manufacturing techniques for each of these may be created and improved before going on to the next. That’s why it’s crucial to rapidly establish a manufacturing system that can be relied upon to provide consistently high quality.

The need for more transparency on the current 4680 development and manufacturing status is problematic. It’s embarrassing that this information came via teardowns rather than an official announcement from Tesla on the quality of the Model 4680. 

Consequently, many customers are misled into believing they are getting an item that isn’t included in their purchase. This furthers the widespread belief that Tesla is, behind the scenes, unethical and has questionable business ambitions to launch its entrance into lithium refining. It has also secured many long-term contracts for the supply of ra

Market Scenario for 4680

The fantastic 4680 battery still has not made it out of production purgatory, so something is up at Tesla. If I were Musk, I’d do my best to straighten things up. Electric vehicle competition is no longer limited to Tesla. 

Open-market batteries like CATL, ONE, and Quantumscape can equal or even outperform the 4680, even if Tesla takes its sweet time manufacturing a version with all the stated specifications. If Tesla keeps being pushed back, it will appear dated.

Additionally, the rose-colored glasses are beginning to fog up. The public is learning more about how Tesla mistreats its employees, how it handles the customer’s right to repair, and how dubious its public relations efforts are. If Tesla continues like this, it will not remain the E.V. industry’s poster child for much longer.

How Much Better Are Tesla’s 4680 Batteries?

To what end do Tesla’s 4680 batteries excel? These are some of how Tesla excels above its rivals.

  1. Compromise

When it comes to batteries, compromise is inevitable. The energy density is increased at the expense of cost when iron sulfate cathodes are used. It’s a trade-off: strength comes at the expense of mobility. More deterioration occurs with higher charging rates.

Maintaining secure batteries is important. In certain cases, a pouch battery may be more portable than a colorful one, but it has problems. Finding the sweet spot for each use is crucial.

Primitive cells are less complicated to produce but less efficient. It’s possible to use intricate methods of production. Tesla achieves outstanding power without significantly reducing driving range. Yet, little progress has been made since introducing the first lithium-ion battery.

  1. More Stout Electrodes

Concerns like temperature management unencumbered Tesla. Compared to 2170 cells, the electrodes on a 4680 battery are around 20-25% thicker. The meaning of this is unclear. This indicates the ingenuity and multifaceted cooperation of these cells.

Because of the thicker electrodes, more electrodes will be in the cell. It implies fewer energy-capable metals overall. The cell has fewer ancillary components, so they are not increasing its strength. They come with a price and a weight.

  1. Density of Energy

How many ions may be packed into a cell determines its energy density. As compared to other elements, lithium ions take up less room in a cell. Because of its greater density-to-weight ratio, lithium has been successful.

Graphite has superior strength and longevity. In comparison to nickel cathodes, iron cathodes have a lower ion uptake capacity. As the cathode is more substantial, more lithium may be packed within. Adding more of the other components is unnecessary. Improved energy density is achieved by increasing the thickness of the anode and cathode.

A Significant Advance in Cell Manufacturing

Remove the thermal problem from the equation and allows us to go to the absolute lowest cost form factor and the simplest manufacturing process

Baglino

In its pursuit of manufacturing savings, Tesla swiftly moved beyond product design and development into the design of the machine that produces the device. Tesla’s dedication extended beyond the product itself, as seen by the company’s efforts to develop solutions that made manufacturing simpler. This feature debuted with the Model 3, and its development has continued with each subsequent Model.

So what is it about Tesla batteries that make them superior? The bigger battery cells (greater capacity per cell and fewer cells) designed for electric automobiles were something Tesla realized would be preferable to have later on. As a result, the 2170-type cylindrical cell, used in the Tesla Model 3/Tesla Model Y and other energy storage devices, became widely available.

Tesla acquired manufacturing equipment

Tesla acquired the manufacturing equipment expertise at Grohmann Automation to help it through the development of its first Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada. With the need for greater battery cell manufacturing capacity, Tesla’s Gigafactory 1 turned to Grohmann as its primary developer for the battery cell production lines.

While it was helpful and improved efficiency at Gigafactory 1, enhancing each essential component forming a battery was not enough for Tesla. It combines everything. In today’s Tesla event celebrating Battery Day, CEO Elon Musk and Chief Product Officer Drew Baglino shared their vision for the company and how it is being implemented. 

Improved manufacturability is another direct result of the new 4680 cells’ tableless design. The tab-free layout reduces assembly-line downtime and removes the need for tabs themselves. The new tableless cells smooth out this hiccup, resulting in a production line that is less prone to manufacturing mistakes as it churns out rolls and rolls of 4680 cells.

This is not a notion, Baglino said. Soon, in our pilot 10 GWh production plant, we will begin ramping up the production of these cells. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has said that the company has a clear route to scaling up the techniques used in the pilot line to gigawatt-hour and even terawatt-hour scale, thanks to the success of their project Roadrunner, which developed a pilot line for the manufacture of the 4680 cells.

Musk’s Statement

Musk has said that reaching a 10 GWh annual manufacturing capacity would take some time. Within a year, the business hopes to have solved the problems in its new assembly lines. When that moment comes, it will be essential to push for expansion. Over time, “real production plants” will produce 200 GWh or more. In the long run, Tesla’s primary competence is not the new cell size, chemistry, or layout of its cars.

In contrast, industrial production is crucial. Musk predicted passionately that “eventually, every auto business would offer long-range electric vehicles.” Every business will be independent in the long run. Even so, only some companies will excel at manufacturing. Regarding production, Tesla will stand miles and miles above the competition. To achieve this is our primary objective.

The table below lists the various cell types utilized in Tesla vehicles –

CarCell dimension
Tesla Model S18650
Tesla Model 32170
Tesla Model X18650
Tesla Model Y2170

The table below details the module battery’s specifications.

ParameterSpecification
Nominal voltage (Battery module)22.8V/Module
Charge voltage cut-off(Battery module)25.2V/Module
Discharging cut-off(Battery module)19.8/Module

Conclusion

Conclusion#1:Tesla preparing for rapidly expanding electric car landscape

Even though Tesla stands to lose market share in the short to medium term due to the increasing number of E.V. options across all vehicle types and price segments entering the market, the rapidly expanding E.V. landscape also implies inevitable supply constraints over the longer term, for which Tesla will be better-prepared thanks to its comprehensive portfolio of foresightful investments across the battery supply chain.

This initiative also strategically positions Tesla to share in its competitors’ growth over the long run by allowing revenue sharing via the progressive expansion of its worldwide Supercharger network.

Conclusion#2:Mass manufacturing of 4680 cells

Mass manufacturing of 4680 cells is essential for cutting input prices. By combining their effects, the measures would contribute to Tesla’s margin expansion trajectory and expedite E.V. price parity with ICE cars, a necessary condition for expanding the global E.V. addressable market in favor of Tesla’s long-term growth story.

Conclusion#3: Why does Tesla need 4680 batteries instead of 2170 batteries?

As a result of the benefits of greater capacity and quick charging, Tesla is switching from 4680 to 2170 batteries. The energy density, charging speed, cruising range, and ease of assembly of 4680 batteries are all superior. CTC technology also significantly decreases expenses. As a result, Tesla will require 4680 batteries instead of 2170 batteries.

FAQs

Should I switch to the 4680 battery?

Giesige concluded that among the structural battery competitors, Tesla’s 4680 cells are the most well-rounded. However, the fact that both the BYD Blade and CATL Qilin batteries performed well overall suggests that both businesses may one day provide Tesla with batteries.

How far can you drive a Tesla with a 4680 battery?

In March of 2022, we stumbled upon the Tesla Model Y AWD in the EPA’s database; it proved to be the updated version with 4680-type batteries and a maximum stated range of 279 miles (449 kilometers).

Will adding a Tesla 4680 battery extend my cruising distance?

Tesla claimed that the additional power, improved range, and durability would result from using 4680 cells. Also revealed was that production would be streamlined, and costs would drop thanks to the cells and structural battery packs.

Which Tesla battery lasts the longest?

The typical range of a Tesla vehicle is 336 miles. The content for the Model 3 is 267 miles, with the Model S lasting 405 mile

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Bharat Suthar

I am principal creator of electriccarexperience.com. I like riding Electric Car, UTV in mountains and Terrain, Also I try to share all the real life experience here in the site.I am really dedicated to write about my experience. I love doing all the outdoor activity including riding electric car, dirt biking and hiking.

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