n2mb_racing
Active Member
It's not necessarily about cells, but the energy density of the cells that could fit in that small package... The new cells are larger, and their density is greater than it's size, so it's possible depending on if they achieve the correct chemistry to give them the energy density with the larger cells...
Let's see what happens.
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That slide says it all. They have 5x more energy, but they are also 5.5x larger. That's why it's only a 16% range increase, I'm guessing that's mostly due to packing efficiency. The chemistry isn't dramatically different. The big innovation is being able to maintain the same power output, without overheating, with the new tab design. But, beyond that, the benefits are all in cost and ease of assembly. Nothing really relevant to the roadster.
Lithium ion chemistry is slowly still improving. I just started to see 5800 mAh 21700 cells, where before 5000 mAh was the limit. But, it's a slow rate of improvement. Nothing that will fit 200 kwhr in the Roadster.
Of course, the cross-sectional area is lower, so maybe they don't need 200 kwhr, maybe more like 150 kwhr to reach 600 miles... So, yeah. Maybe. With aero wheels.
The Model 3 LR gets 348 miles out of 82 kwhr. The Roadster probably as the same or lower cross sectional area than the Model 3. Ok, maybe 140 kwhr. Ok, I've slowly convinced myself it might happen.
Anyway, just build the damn thing already so I can buy it. I really don't care about all the extras. Just use the Plaid powertrain in the Roadster body and call it a day.