Blog Tesla Unveils Tabless Battery Cell That Boosts Range by 16%

Tesla unveiled Tuesday at its Battery Day event a new 4680 battery cell, a larger form factor that would increase range by 16%.

Tesla said the new cells will have a 5x  increase in energy and a 6x increase in power capacity. The new cell is 46mm by 80mm, featuring a “tabless” design that enables the efficiencies.

Tesla has reduced parts, created a better electrical connection from the battery, and simplified the manufacturing process. The efficiency in the manufacturing process of the new cell is expected to reduce the price per kWh by 14%. Tesla hopes to eventually reduce that price by 50%.

Tesla is currently producing the cells at a facility near its factory in Fremont, Calif.

Musk also raved about efforts to make the battery factory more efficient, driving home the idea that battery production needs to speed up in order for EVs to have a significant impact on climate change. Musk said it will be a “highway” at “max-velocity” once at scale. Still, Tesla’s new homegrown cells are not expected to reach mass production until 2022. 

Musk said it will take a year for the first facility to reach its 10 GWh production capacity.

Musk hinted that the new battery design will lead to savings necessary for Tesla to introduce a $25,000 electric vehicle.

Watch the full presentation here.

 

[RCMorgan]

Even if the increase in range is 54% how can the energy content be five-fold?

 

[piperguy]

Would it be possible for Tesla to develop a. Auxiliary battery pack that could be designed to fit in the trunk/frunk for long trips. It could be configured for each model. It would be stored charged and available when needed. It would help those with older, limited range cars. Seems Iike not a difficult lift

 

[HenryFarkas]

Even if the increase in range is 54% how can the energy content be five-fold?

Not sure about this, but I think it's energy per kilogram of battery. The new cells are bigger so there's less casing and more actual battery per kilogram.

 

[Shastaguy]

With my Tesla X when fully charged it says 319 miles. After traveling a little over 215 miles we are down to 10%. If Tesla is claiming higher millage. Please do something with the computers to give accurate millage while traveling.

 

[TLLMRRJ]

That was a disappointment. I'd thought that when my M3 batteries died, I'd be able to replace them with the better battery, but it looks like they won't fit in my M3.

Elon is thinking more disposable rather than upgradeable hardware. When's the last time anyone ever upgraded their iPhone hardware? He's following the same model.

 

[Dr Kaputnik]

I will freely admit to not understanding the computation that shows such an increase in range (the stated increase ought to give a 300 mile range auto another 50 miles or so of range??). My intent is to order our MY in Oct (long story as to why then). I was hoping for a longer range vehicle then is now the case. Not sure that's going to happen.

Rich

I'd guess it will be 2-3 years before this battery is fully rolled out. They've just started with the manufacturing prototypes... takes time to ramp up mass production.

 

[bionichomer]

I'm pretty sure they'll do what Mercedes is doing for their electric car.

 

[simonog]

Not sure if these will be a priority for the cars - I’d guess trucks definitely.

 

[Yinn]

That was a disappointment. I'd thought that when my M3 batteries died, I'd be able to replace them with the better battery, but it looks like they won't fit in my M3.

As long as your pack doesn't die within the next year then the truth is we don't know. The 2170 cells you have measure 21mm x 70mm, but the cells are contained in a module that is actually 90mm thick. Which then are contained in the pack's final form factor that's even thicker. The new unveiled 4680 cells are certainly a lot wider at 46mm but only marginally taller at 80mm. Leaving 10mm of clearance instead of the 20mm of your current modules. It's not identical, but it's by no means a challenge that can't be overcome and certainly not the first, second, or even third time that Tesla would have re-engineered a pack but kept the final form factor.

 

[HenryFarkas]

As long as your pack doesn't die within the next year then the truth is we don't know. The 2170 cells you have measure 21mm x 70mm, but the cells are contained in a module that is actually 90mm thick. Which then are contained in the pack's final form factor that's even thicker. The new unveiled 4680 cells are certainly a lot wider at 46mm but only marginally taller at 80mm. Leaving 10mm of clearance instead of the 20mm of your current modules. It's not identical, but it's by no means a challenge that can't be overcome and certainly not the first, second, or even third time that Tesla would have re-engineered a pack but kept the final form factor.

From your computer to Elon's eyes, I hope.

 

[Perry Shipman]

Maybe by 2030, when your battery is too degraded and needs replacement, they will have something even better.

I sure hope so!

 

[marcopone]

Not sure about this, but I think it's energy per kilogram of battery. The new cells are bigger so there's less casing and more actual battery per kilogram.

the 54% increase is per single cell.
as the new cells are much bigger, the volume is 5,5 times larger, here comes the higher capacity per single battery

 

[Retired in AZ]

I'm thinking that this may be the battery for the Semi and maybe the Roadster.

 

[Spence]

I think the main takeaway from the entire presentation is:
16% increase in range based on battery design alone (read: better cell geometry = more capacity). Also important is this is not vaporware... these are batteries being produced, right now, at a scalable prototype facility. A ~50% increase in power transfer rate due to tabbed design (i.e. improved thermal characteristics) (read: decrease in charging time) while not directly stated in the presentation the insane power output of an electric vehicle is merely a direct correlation of a battery's ability to discharge at the same (or greater) rate that it charges. As charging times decrease power output for a battery pack naturally increase.
- You can order your Plaid Model S now (<2 second 0-60) ...btw it's a family sedan.
- Tesla has secured its own lithium source... locally... in the U.S. to be used in it's own Gigafactory(TeraFactory?) using a new process that removes most of the current manufacturing steps. Said lithium source is enough to "electrify" the entire U.S. vehicle fleet should the entire reservoir be purchased and only in that one state. (there will be no lithium shortage.)
- new battery pack design will be structurally integrated into the car increasing overall car strength while decreasing overall gross vehicle weight. While not currently available for your new model Y, it was directly stated that this will be the way all their cars are built as new factories come online and/or it is feasible to retool.
- Plans for the TeraFactory... seriously they built a GigaFactory in 18 months. Only the ignorant are betting against this.

Any one of these talking points would have other vehicle manufactures throwing a media commercial parade... for Tesla just a Wednesday...

Yes… What’s not clear to me is cooling for the new battery pack design… I didn’t see any mention of that. I did hear them say heat is way less an issue, has it allowed them to actually not have to have liquid cooling for the batteries?

 

[Weeee]

the 54% increase is per single cell.
as the new cells are much bigger, the volume is 5,5 times larger, here comes the higher capacity per single battery

In the slides it literally says range increase of 54%. That definitely mean car range otherwise it doesn’t make sense.

 

[brucet999]

So higher C rate? What's the energy density improvement by volume and by weight?

I calculate that the 4680 battery has 4.8 times the volume of a 2170. Pretty close to their claim that the new cells will have 5x energy capacity.
The tabless design, vastly reduces internal resistance, which could be most of the reason for 6 x power instead of just 5 x. So, I see a 16% increase in power from a 4680 pack vs a 2170 pack of the same nominal energy capacity, et voila, 16% more range!

 

[DanCar]

Even if the increase in range is 54% how can the energy content be five-fold?

The new cells are bigger. Imagine having a battery cell that has 5 times more volume, although this is smaller than that do to other improvements.

 

[brucet999]

I calculate volume of 4680 is 4.8 times volume of 2170. Possibly the area of active electrodes may be 5 x, or maybe they just rounded the number.

 

[ReddykwRun]

the range is increased by 54%... please change the headline!

Sure about that?
I heard 16% from the dark-haired fella on the stage.

 

[brucet999]

Sure about that?
I heard 16% from the dark-haired fella on the stage.

Exactly. Their graphic showed the new cells having 6x power (presumably than 2170 cells), which equates to 16% more power/range.

I think the 54% figure was for the sum of all the elements in the presentation, but cells portion was 16%,