Panasonic Plans New Massive Battery Plant in US to Supply Tesla: Report

Panasonic has said it plans to begin mass-producing the new type of lithium-ion battery for Tesla before the end of March 2024.

By Reuters | Updated: 4 March 2022 12:53 IST

Panasonic Plans New Massive Battery Plant in US to Supply Tesla: Report

Panasonic is reportedly planning to begin production of lithium-ion battery before the end of March 2024

Highlights

Panasonic will build two new production lines at its plant in Wakayama
Production of new lithium-ion battery is expected to start in March 2024
The new battery is around five times bigger than those supplied to Tesla

Japan's Panasonic is looking to purchase land in the United States for a mega-factory to make a new type of electric vehicle (EV) battery for Tesla, public broadcaster NHK reported on Friday.

Panasonic is looking at building the factory, to cost several billion dollars, in either Oklahoma or Kansas close to Texas, where Tesla is preparing a new EV plant, NHK reported. NHK gave no timeline for Panasonic's US project. NHK did not cite the source of its information. Panasonic said the reported plan was not something it announced.

A long-time supplier for Tesla, Panasonic has said it plans to begin mass-producing the new type of lithium-ion battery for Tesla before the end of March 2024 with two new production lines at its western Japanese plant in Wakayama.

Samsung Wins Patent for a Tri-Fold Smartphone With Specialised Barrier Layer for Improved Durability

The 4680 format (46 millimetres wide and 80 millimetres tall) battery is about five times bigger than those currently supplied to Tesla, meaning the US carmaker will be able to lower production costs and improve vehicle range. Panasonic's relationship with Tesla stretches back more than a decade when Tesla signed an agreement that made the Japanese company its key battery supplier.

Since then, Tesla has ramped up production and diversified its supply chain to other firms, including Chinese manufacturers of cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) powerpacks such as Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL). South Korea LG Energy Solution Limited also plans to make 4680 batteries, sources told Reuters last year.

Shares of Panasonic were down 3 percent in morning trade in Tokyo compared with a 2.5 percent decline for the broader Nikkei 225 index.

Ford Plans to Spend $50 Billion on EV Production Between 2022 and 2026

© Thomson Reuters 2022

Gaana CEO and Spotify's India chief join us on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, to discuss India's unique music streaming landscape. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.