Tesla has produced 20 million 4680 battery cells. (Image Credit: Tesla/YouTube)
Tesla built its 20 millionth 4680 battery cell, a power pack for new vehicles like the Cybertruck, at the Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. The boosted production of these batteries that improve driving range could largely benefit both automakers and the auto industry. Tesla announced a 10 million 4680 battery cell production in June at the Gigafactory. This also means the automaker manufactured 10 million cells from June to October.
According to the company, consumers could see a 50%+ decrease in costs thanks to this 4680 cell, which also stores more power (five times) and increases an EV's driving range (16%) compared to the 2170 cell it's replacing. Even better, boosting production of the 4680, revealed at Tesla's Battery Day event in 2020, could make new models qualifiable for tax incentives requiring battery parts built in the States.
Additionally, this suggests Tesla generates 4 GWh of battery capacity per year. A Global Battery Alliance report predicts that the surging demand for batteries could hit 3,600 GWh by 2030.
Toyota recently announced its solid-state batteries could be the ultimate solution for EVs, coming with a 745-mile driving range and a 10-minute charging time. (Image Credit: Admiral_Lebioda/pixabay)
Toyota says it has collaborated with major Japanese oil company Idemitsu to engineer a new and improved solid-state battery for EVs, with a 745-mile driving range and 10-minute charging time. Mass production could start by 2027 or 2028, and this breakthrough may cut the battery size and cost by 50%.
Many consumers have steered away from EVs due to the battery's low driving range (300 miles) and long charging times. That, in turn, makes it more challenging to adopt electric vehicles. Even if those limitations are addressed shortly, another problem for EV makers still comes into play — charging infrastructures that have lessened American consumer interest, according to polls. So far, only 57,000 public charging stations are on American soil, while China has 650,000 charging stations installed.
The post-UMD poll revealed that 74% of Americans believe that gas-powered vehicles are more suitable for 250-mile or higher driving trips. And if that number were surpassed with an EV vehicle, the battery would require recharging.
However, Toyota says some challenges need to be addressed during manufacturing. For instance, assembling these solid-state batteries would require the anode and cathode cells to be precisely and quickly stacked.
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