Samsung SDI has decided to make its new batteries the same size as the Tesla 4680

The traction battery market has already passed the stage of development when it was possible to endlessly experiment with the cell sizes used.
Samsung SDI first wanted to increase the diameter of its cylindrical lithium batteries to 40 mm, but now Korean sources say that the reference point is the diameter of similar cells from Tesla, which reaches 46 mm.Image source: Samsung SDI If you consider that the cylinder height was originally supposed to be 80 mm, then Samsung SDI can achieve full unification in size with the cylindrical cells 4680, which begin producing Tesla and its close partner, Panasonic.
However, LG Energy Solution is also experimenting with the creation of such batteries, so all three third-party manufacturers could eventually become suppliers of cells like 4680 to the Tesla assembly line.According to Business Korea, Samsung SDI now produces cylindrical lithium batteries in two sizes: 2170 and 1865, where the first two digits define the diameter of the cylinder and the second two define its height in millimeters.
Work on the standardization of the third size is coming to an end, and Samsung SDI is inclined to choose the diameter of 46 mm as a basis.
What will be the height of the cylinder, has not yet been decided, but for the purpose of unification, it will probably reach 80 mm, inherent in the products of Tesla, Panasonic and LG Energy Solution.According to SNE Research, now the cylindrical batteries account for 19% of the traction battery market, but by 2030 they will reach 26%.
The alternatives are either prismatic hard-shell batteries or packaged soft-shell batteries.
Samsung SDI is going to ramp up production of cylindrical-shaped batteries at its facilities in South Korea and Malaysia.

Panasonic sent Tesla first samples of battery cells type 4680

Japanese corporation Panasonic was originally Tesla's partner in traction battery production in Nevada, now their joint venture is capable of producing batteries with a combined capacity of 39 GW‧h annually.
The pilot production of new cells type 4680 in Japan has already yielded the first samples of batteries, which were sent to Tesla for further testing.Image source: TeslaWhat emphasizes Reuters with reference to comments from representatives of Panasonic, mass production of cells type 4680 will start at the enterprise in Japan after March next year.
In May of the current year the Japanese company managed to start mass production of prototypes of these cells that will be sent to the USA for the needs of Tesla.
In the future, Panasonic is considering organizing their production in the United States.
Rumors mention the states of Kansas and Oklahoma as the closest places to Tesla's facility in Texas, where the new Panasonic plant will be located.
Experts from the Japanese company were actively involved in the development of a new type of cell, which due to its increased size will make traction batteries cheaper with a simultaneous increase in capacity.For Tesla, the transition to the use of cells type 4680 is of strategic importance.
Such batteries should be used in the electric Cybertruck pickup and Semi truck, and now the Model Y crossovers with a new power structure of the body are already equipped with them at the plant in Texas.
Production of such crossovers will be set up in Germany, but so far the Model Y local assembly uses a transitional design with a battery based on 2170-size cells.
Tesla plans to organize independent production of cells of 4680 type not only in Texas, but also in Germany.The representatives of Panasonic said that car business should increase its share in the total revenue of the corporation from 14 to 19% by March of the next year.
Overall, global car production will have to return to pre-pandemic levels by then, but shortages of semiconductor components will persist after that.
Panasonic intends to partially compensate the growth of battery production costs by increasing prices for its products.