Panasonic Energy, a key supplier for Tesla, has completed preparations for the mass production of its high-capacity electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The company announced that it is ready to begin producing its new 4680 cells, which offer significantly greater capacity compared to the smaller 2170 cylindrical batteries.
The revamped facility in Wakayama, Japan, will be the primary site for manufacturing these advanced 4680 cells. These batteries are designed to be five times more capacious than the previous models and are expected to enhance the driving range of electric vehicles while reducing the number of cells needed per battery pack.
Panasonic Energy has already dispatched samples of the 4680 batteries to several automakers it supplies and plans to commence full-scale production once it receives approval from its clients. The company had previously projected that production would begin in the first half of the current business year, which started in April.
The new 4680 cells, which measure 46mm in diameter and 80mm in height, are anticipated to provide a substantial boost to EV performance. This will allow car manufacturers to extend vehicle range and achieve the same battery pack capacity with fewer cells.
Tesla, which began deliveries of its Cybertruck in November 2023 after overcoming initial production hurdles, already produces its own 4680 batteries. However, the speed of production has been a significant challenge. Panasonic Energy’s new cells could help alleviate some of these issues.
In addition to its Japanese operations, Panasonic is constructing a second battery plant in Kansas, which is scheduled to start production next year, complementing its existing facility in Nevada. At a recent ceremony, Panasonic Energy highlighted the completion of its production setup, showcasing an inspection line with trays of the new silver-colored cells.
The company plans to initiate production at an annual capacity of several gigawatt-hours and expects to employ around 400 staff at the Wakayama plant by March 2025. This plant will also serve as a testing ground for processes that could be adopted at other global battery manufacturing sites.
Panasonic Energy already produces 2170 and 1860 cylindrical EV batteries at its Suminoe and Kaizuka plants in Japan. Additionally, the company is collaborating with Subaru to establish a new battery plant in Gunma Prefecture, which will start supplying automotive batteries from the 2028 business year.
