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The link you posted is from 2010--roadster days. The cells used in the roadster are not the same as those in the Model S. And Model 3 will be using new cells
by danhak 11y ago
The link you posted is from 2010--roadster days. The cells used in the roadster are not the same as those in the Model S. And Model 3 will be using new cells as well.
There's been immense R&D by both parties since 2010, and the latest supply agreement was finalized July 2014.
I'm hoping for something a little more formal than a PR blurb--like an SEC filing as grandparent alluded to.
- dragontamer 11y agoNot really. 18650 cells are still being deployed by TSLA. The hypothetical Gigafactory 26650 cells aren't out yet. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/panasonic-backs-teslas-gigafactory-investing-190107913.html http://finance.yahoo.com/news/panasonic-backs-teslas-gigafac... But considering the $1.6 Billion investment from Panasonic, it looks like Panasonic owns at least half of the gigafactory. This suggests that Panasonic still owns the cell technology / chemistry.
- danhak 11y ago18650 refers to the cell form factor--the size and shape--and has nothing to do with the chemistry inside. It's like saying two PC motherboards are the same because they're both ATX. The cells in the original roadster were 3.7 V / 2100 mAh vs. 3.6 V / 3100 mAh for the latest. They're both 18650 cells--completely different chemistry.
- makomk 11y agoMore specifically, Tesla's shipping Panasonic NCR16850A cells with Panasonic's newish LiNiCoO2 chemistry - same as in a lot of more modern laptop batteries. The Roadster was presumably one of their older cells like the CGR18650.