Tesla Musk’s clues to battery capacity jump ahead of industry event

SEOUL (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.OCEO Elon Musk has suggested the U.S. automaker may be able to mass-produce longer-life batteries with 50 percent more energy density in three to four years.

“400 Wh / kg * with * a long lifespan, produced in volume (not only in the laboratory), it is not far. Probably 3-4 years, ”Musk tweeted Monday ahead of his planned“ Battery Day ”event where Tesla is expected to reveal how he has improved his battery performance.

The researchers said that the energy density of Panasonic (6752.T) The “2170” batteries used in the Tesla Model 3 are around 260 Wh / kg, which means a 50% jump from the current energy density which is essential to achieve longer run times .

Tesla has said its battery day will be on the same day as its 2020 annual meeting of shareholders on September 22.

The electric car maker also showed a background image where a number of dots are clustered in linear formations, sparking speculation among the media and fans on what it will reveal at the event. (here)

South Korean battery expert Park Chul-wan said the image may hint at a “silicon nanowire anode,” a breakthrough technology that has the potential to dramatically increase the energy density and lifespan of battery.

Panasonic Corp (6752.T) earlier told Reuters that it plans to increase the energy density of the original “2170” battery cells it supplies to Tesla by 20% in five years.

Tesla is also working with the Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) (300750.SZ) to introduce a new, low-cost, long-lasting battery in its Model 3 sedan in China later this year or early next year, with batteries designed to last a million kilometers of use, Reuters reported in May .

A “very limited number of shareholders” will be able to attend the events of September 22 due to restrictions related to the pandemic, Tesla said, and a lottery will be held to select the participants.