Lithium battery in tesla

How many types of lithium-ion batteries does Tesla want?

Tesla now wants to provide three different types of lithium-ion batteries, ranging from more economical to I’m-giving-her-all-she’s-got-captain. Enlarge / Here's how Tesla presented its plan to use three different cathode chemistries for different applications.

What type of battery does Tesla use?

Tesla has been using 18650 cells manufactured by Panasonic in Asia in the Models S and X cars since 2013. These are small battery cells, slightly larger than the standard AA cells. The Tesla cylindrical cells are 18 mm in diameter and 65 mm tall.

How many Tesla batteries are there?

On top of that, Tesla has started its own battery production - the 4680-type cell with undisclosed chemistry (but most likely a high energy dense one). Tesla's 1 millionth cell was produced in California in January (an electric car might need up to about a 1,000 such cells).

Does Tesla still use lithium?

"We intend to continue to use suppliers of lithium, so it's not that Tesla will do all of it," Musk said. Albemarle plans to build a lithium processing facility in South Carolina that will refine 100,000 tonnes of the metal each year, with construction slated to begin next year and the facility coming online sometime later this decade.

Does Tesla have a lithium refinery in Texas?

Tesla broke ground on its in-house Texas lithium refinery in the greater Corpos Christi area of the state last year. Tesla's lithium refinery capacity is expected to produce 50 GWh of battery-grade lithium per year. Musk said in late 2023 that construction of the lithium refinery would be completed in 2024, followed by full production in 2025.

Are all Tesla traction batteries the same?

Tesla battery cell types: All of Tesla's traction batteries are lithium-ion batteries, but they are not all the same. There are several main cathode chemistries, each of which evolves over the years. The three main cathode types in Tesla EVs: