More range for Tesla with Panasonic super battery
In the race to build the most powerful and safest battery with greater range, Japan’s Panasonic is stepping in. The company says it will be ready by 2027 with a new high-capacity super battery that could deliver more driving range for electric vehicles.
Panasonic, which already supplies batteries to Tesla, is developing a process that removes the anode during production, allowing it to form inside the battery after the first charge. This innovation is designed to boost energy density and, according to the company, deliver “world-leading capacity.” Panasonic aims for a 25 percent capacity increase, which would extend the Tesla Model Y’s range by about 90 miles while keeping the same battery dimensions.
Lighter and potentially cheaper batteries
The absence of a pre-installed anode also frees up room for more active cathode materials such as nickel, cobalt, and aluminum. This would allow higher capacity without changing the battery’s volume and could lead to lighter and potentially more affordable battery versions.
The challenge for Elon Musk: lower prices
Another Panasonic goal is to reduce the proportion of nickel, an expensive material that drives up battery costs. In theory, this could help Tesla cut vehicle prices, although neither company has disclosed concrete plans.
Still, the need is pressing. According to Reuters, Tesla’s U.S. market share in August fell to its lowest level in eight years, as more American consumers turn to electric vehicles from competing brands. To remain competitive, Tesla must adapt both technology and pricing in a rapidly shifting EV market.