Tesla CEO Elon Musk has provided more details on the first vehicle to use the company’s new 4680 battery cells, revealed at its recent Battery Day event.
Responding to @WholeMarsBlog, Musk said, “Berlin will use 4680 cell with structural battery pack [and] front [and] rear single piece castings. Also, a new paint system.”
Essentially, new Model Y vehicles made in Germany will see the new 4680 cells and battery pack, which will be Tesla’s newest battery technology and safety features. Single piece castings will also allow for faster production of vehicles. Talk about giving an incentive for Europeans to jump on the new more efficient and safer Model Y.
Musk added, “Lot of new technology will happen in Berlin, which means significant production risk. Fremont [and] Shanghai will transition in ~2 years when new tech is proven.”
Berlin will use 4680 cell with structural battery pack & front & rear single piece castings. Also, a new paint system.
Lot of new technology will happen in Berlin, which means significant production risk. Fremont & Shanghai will transition in ~2 years when new tech is proven.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2020
As for the battery pack, Musk clarified, “Battery pack will be a bonded structure with cells providing shear transfer between steel upper & lower face sheets, eliminating most of the center body parts while providing better torsional rigidity & improved polar moment or inertia. This is a *major* breakthrough.”
Battery pack will be a bonded structure with cells providing shear transfer between steel upper & lower face sheets, eliminating most of the center body parts while providing better torsional rigidity & improved polar moment or inertia. This is a *major* breakthrough.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2020
When asked how Tesla would be able to repair rear end damage to a Model Y with a single piece casting, Musk replied, “The crash absorption rails can be cut off [and] replaced with a bolted part for collision repair.”
The crash absorption rails can be cut off & replaced with a bolted part for collision repair
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2020
Musk also said, “We do expect to make heavy use of LFP [lithium iron phosphate batteries] for medium range cars & stationary storage.”
According to the Tesla leader, its Gigafactories in Shanghai and Berlin will also be producing new original cars at some point as well. Click here to check out the latest progress on Giga Berlin.
