Tesla purchased Maxwell Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-tech ultra capacitors, three years ago. Nevertheless, it is not why Tesla acquired the firm. Maxwell was caught for its dry cathode capability, which Tesla needed to produce its proposed 4,680 battery cells. How Soon Will the Tesla Model 3 Get the 4680 Battery?
Since Tesla has not provided a specific release date for this upgrade, it is currently unclear when the Tesla Model 3 get 4680 battery. It is anticipated that over the coming few years, the 4680 battery would gradually replace the current ones in all of Tesla’s products.
When Will The Tesla Model 3 Get the 4680 Battery?
Traditional battery cells, like the 2170 cells Tesla has been using for years, use a more sophisticated and expensive wet-coating process. Still, this new technology enables Tesla to do away with that.
The high cost is due to the extensive resources (time, money, workforce, and manufacturing space) required to complete the operation. Toxic binder solvents are used in the wet phase of battery production to cover electrodes.
Electrodes are coated and then dried in large ovens; the hazardous solvents used in the coating process evaporate during the drying process and are collected, cleaned, and reused. Coating electrodes with the new approach requires substantially less liquid since the binders differ.
This eliminates the cost, time, and environmental impact of drying the ingredients. Due to the ease of the process, Tesla can reduce its capital expenditures by 30%, its factory’s footprint by 70%, and its energy usage by 90% compared to the wet method.
4680 Battery Overview
Berlin will use 4680 cell with structural battery pack & front & rear single piece castings. Also, a new paint system.
Lot of new technology will happen in Berlin, which means significant production risk. Fremont & Shanghai will transition in ~2 years when new tech is proven.
– Elon Musk
With its high voltage platform, high energy density, minimal self-discharge, and extended service life, the EVE 4680 battery stands apart from the competition. It has been in use almost from the beginning. Lightweight and small lithium battery packs with several strings may generate more power, providing a convenient solution for various applications.
What We Need to Know About 4680 Battery?
To fulfil the power requirements of a wide range of electrical devices, connecting numerous lithium batteries in series may be necessary, therefore increasing the battery voltage and satisfying the needs of a high-power inverter output from an outside power source. A 4-string or 6-string battery pack often meets the DC power supply of high-power inverters in the outdoor power supply of around 300-600W at this point.
The EVE 4680 battery is 46mm in diameter and 80mm in length. We typically utilize 18650 batteries (diameter = 18mm, size = 65mm) and 21700 batteries (diameter = 21mm, length = 70mm) in our mobile power supply and flashlight, respectively.
The Tesla Model S uses the EVE 18650 battery, whereas the Tesla Model 3 use the 21700 batteries. Both of these battery types have seen extensive application in portable electronics like cell phones and flashlights and stationary devices like solar panels.
Although the single-cell capacity of the EVE 4680 battery is comparable to the battery above packs, its inability to provide high-power charging and discharging means it cannot fulfil the demands of portable power. The 46mm diameter eliminates the need for portable equipment like mobile power.
Yet, the EVE 4680 battery is well-suited for outdoor power applications, not only in new energy vehicles. The 26Ah capacity of the EVE 4680 battery is more than five times that of the existing 21700 battery and eight times that of the 18650 batteries.
When used as an outdoor power source, one EVE 4680 battery is comparable to five 21700 batteries in parallel or eight 18650 batteries in series. To put it another way, a single EVE 4680 battery is the functional equal of five 21700 batteries in a portable power pack.
About 94 Wh is the equivalent of the EVE 4680 battery’s capacity. Additionally, the energy storage needs of hundreds of Wh in the outdoor power supply can be met by using 4 or 6 4680 batteries in series, which significantly simplifies the manufacturing process of multiple series lithium battery packs in the outdoor power supply and replaces the assembly of dozens of battery packs in the traditional 18650 or 21700 battery pack.
The interior construction is improved over the standard 18650 battery and the 21700 and 4680. The design enhances the battery’s charging and discharging capabilities without pole lugs.
The battery’s storage capacity rises as the effective area of the matching plate grows. In addition, the battery has better internal space usage and energy density than the 18650 rechargeable and 21700 batteries.
Latest News on Model 3’s Battery Upgrade
Australian buyers of the 2022 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicle will find a free upgrade to a bigger battery pack that increases driving Range but comes at the expense of Performance in the downgraded base model.
What is the update of Latest News on Model 3’s Battery Upgrade?
The updated Shanghai-built Model 3 is now up for pre-order on Tesla Australia’s website. It’s widely believed that the increase in driving Range across most variants is the result of larger battery packs, which are said by reliable Tesla sleuth Veda Prime to measure 62kWh (total, or 60kWh usable) for the base model, and 82kWh (capacity, or 84kWh usable) for the all-paw Long Range and Performance models.
According to the European WLTP testing cycle, the base Model 3 now offers 491km of Range, up from 448km previously supplied under the Standard Range Plus designation. The top-tier Performance model still has a range of 567 kilometres, but the all-wheel-drive Long Range model now has a range of 614 kilometres.
The basic Model 3’s 0-100 km/h time has increased from 5.6 seconds to 6.1 seconds due to the larger battery, while it can still reach a peak speed of 225 km/h. The Long Range and the Performance have the exact 0-100 km/h timings of 4.4 seconds and the same peak speeds of 267 km/h, while the other variations have not altered.
The Model 3’s starting price of $59,900 before on-road expenses, the Model 3 Long Range’s starting price of $73,400 before on-road costs, and the Model 3 Performance’s starting price of $86,930 before on-road costs (or $84,900 minus Luxury Vehicle Tax) have not changed despite the enhancements.
The new versions seem unchanged, with no noted differences in the available coolers, wheels, or interiors. The price of the ‘Complete Self-Driving’ upgrade, which is now $10,100, will remain the same.
Pros and Cons of 4680 Battery
- The 4680 is a dry cell that functions in cold as well as hot environments.
- From a manufacturing perspective, the 4680 battery is a win-win since it offers a more extensive battery cell at a lower price.
- The 4680 battery is more significant in size, weightier, and more potent in capacity.
- Reports have surfaced claiming the new Model Ys equipped with a 4680 battery can be charged from empty to almost full in under one hour.
Batteries 4680 Disadvantages
- Only a few factories produce these. Hence there is a scarcity of 4680s.
- Exclusive to the new Model Y produced at the Gigafactory in Texas.
- We have much to learn about the 4680, including whether or not it will be mass-produced and by whom.
Impact on Model 3 Range/Performance
The Model 3 is Tesla’s most reasonably priced vehicle. Model 3 joins Model S, X, and Y to form the full “S3XY” range. Model 3 has three versions: the base RWD model, the Long Range variant, and the Performance model. All three versions have the same general shape, but each has a unique electric motor configuration and battery capacity.
How does the Long-Range Model Compare to its Performance Counterpart?
The Range of these two versions is a critical distinction between them. Many people’s busy travel schedules can’t work with electric automobiles. But Model 3 addresses their main issues. With a single charge, the Long Range can go 358 miles. Its Range is comparable to that of other long-range electric vehicles. Those looking for a car with a long-range will find it ideal. This is made feasible by adjusting the engine settings, installing larger batteries, and downsizing the wheels.
The Performance model has a lower range than the Long Range model. With a full tank, the Performance trim can go around 315 miles. The Extended Range can go an additional 43 miles. A vehicle’s actual Performance, not just its Range, is a prominent selling feature. Electric cars have quicker acceleration times because their motors are more responsive. Compared to the Performance characteristics, the Long Range can reach a peak speed of 162 mph and accelerate from 0-60 in 3.1 seconds. The Performance version lives up to its name by being the best.
As the Long Range and Performance are essentially the same Model, there aren’t many physical differences between the two. Yet, there are a few distinctions that should be made clear. The Long Range may be outfitted with either 18-inch Aero or 19-inch Sport Wheels. It’s lighter than its twin at 4,034 pounds. But Performance has only one wheel option: 20-inch Überturbines. The Performance is the heavier Model at 4,048 lbs.
While the information on the Performance’s “Performance Brakes” is sparse on Tesla’s website, they are included in the Model.
Comparison With Current Model 3 Battery
All Tesla EVs use one of four primary battery types: the 18650, 2170, 4680, or the proprietary Tesla prismatic battery. With the demise of the Roadster in 2012, just four battery types have been employed in the company’s almost two-decade existence.
Each brand of battery comes from a different factory. There has never been a single manufacturer that has been trusted to provide all four of Tesla’s battery options. Even with this, this may give the impression that the situation is more complicated. The battery manufacturer is less important than the battery’s benefits for the EV, even for someone as dedicated to control as Elon Musk.
Tesla 18650 Battery
The original Roadster, the Model S, and the Model X all used the same cylindrical 18650-type Tesla battery. The 18650 type weighs 47 grams and has a nominal voltage of 3.7V; however, it can be charged to 4.2V and discharged to 2.5V. The maximum capacity of these 18650 cells is 3500 mAh (or milliampere hour, used to describe how long the battery will hold a charge).
Tesla Batteries, Model 2170
While having the same nominal voltage, maximum charge, and lowest discharge as the 18650-type, the 2170-type Tesla battery represents a significant upgrade in size and capacity. The 2170 type has dimensions of 70 mm in length and 21 mm in diameter, allowing each cell to hold 4800 mAh. This 2170 type may be found in the Model 3 and the Model Y, weighing roughly 68 grams.
4680-Type Tesla’s Powerwall
Elon Musk said in October 2020 that all Model Ys produced at Tesla’s new facility in Texas would use 4680-type battery cells. These ground-breaking new batteries dwarf the 18650 and 2170 varieties in power and size. The 4680-type extends the mAh to a whopping 9000, with dimensions of 80 mm in length and 46 mm in diameter. Its exact mass and voltage are unknown, but given the device’s enhanced Performance, one may safely assume that both have grown.
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Fuel Type | Electric |
| Range | 402 Km/Charge |
| Charging Time | 14 to 21 hours |
Pricing Implications for Model 3
The current price of a used Tesla Model 3 is 21.5% lower than its 2017 high point. Used prices for Tesla’s base model have dropped by almost $11,000 on average. Used EV prices increased dramatically in 2018 due to strong demand and low supply of new EVs. Used Tesla Model Y costs last year skyrocketed to the point that they were greater than those of brand new Model Ys.
But, in December, when Tesla began to provide discounts after the quarter, used prices finally fell. During the last several months, especially after Tesla’s recent price reduction across its entire product range and the new federal EV tax credit took effect, they have continued to fall.
The used automobile market is essential to the automotive industry since most consumers cannot afford a brand-new vehicle. Focusing on the new vehicle market is critical to the industry’s transition to electrification. It also provides a source of revenue for the electric used car market, which is in its infancy. But it’s expanding rapidly, and things are becoming interesting.
Conclusion
Experts estimate that Tesla has only been able to save roughly half of the savings it had projected for the 4680 battery when revealed two years ago, or between $2,000 and $3,000.
The new 4680 cells, more significant than those in Tesla’s existing 2170 battery, are primarily responsible for the cost reduction. Finding solutions to the problems of producing dry coatings will provide the rest.
Starting with a pilot plant near its Fremont, California, manufacturing base and most recently at its new global headquarters in Austin, Texas, Tesla has been producing 4680 dry cells this year using technology it obtained when it purchased Maxwell.
FAQs
Why is the 4680-battery significant for the Tesla Model 3?
The 4680 cells can store up to five times as much energy in the same footprint as Tesla’s previous generation of 2170 cells. As a result, Tesla can manufacture vehicles with more excellent ranges and greater single-charge capability.
How will the 4680 batteries affect the price of the Tesla Model 3?
The new Model Y AWD with 4680 batteries costs $2,000 less than the Model Y Long Range AWD with 2170 cells (the current “basic” model) but has far less range
When can we expect the Tesla Model 3 to get the 4680 batteries?
Tesla said in December 2022 that it could create 4,680 cells weekly, which is enough to power 1,000 vehicles.
What is the role of the 4680 batteries in Tesla’s overall battery strategy?
The 4680 battery cells manufactured by Tesla are essential to the company’s success in the car market. Tesla’s 4680 cells, unveiled on Battery Day in September 2020, will reportedly usher in a 50% drop in cell cost because of multiple advancements, including a dry electrode coating technique.