Tesla's Berlin Plant Is Expected To Start Producing 4680 Cells In Q1 2023

Tesla's Berlin Gigafactory super factory is still in its early stages, but the German-based electric car factory is working on some ambitious goals of its own, Teslarati reports. Among them is the plant's battery production. Battery production is reportedly expected to begin sometime in the first quarter of 2023.

Tesla's next-generation cars are expected to be powered by the company's next-generation 4680 batteries. The company currently equips some Texas-built Model Y's with 4680 batteries, but in the future, Tesla's lineup of cars is expected to feature new battery form factors. The Berlin super factory appears to be one place that is actively planning to equip its vehicles with new, larger batteries.

As noted in a report by German news outlet B.Z., Tesla showed off its 4680 battery technology at the Grunheide last Sunday. Tesla explained that the company intends to introduce cars with significantly fewer but larger 4680 batteries, rather than using thousands of smaller lithium-ion batteries in its vehicles. 4680 batteries are faster to manufacture, less expensive and more environmentally friendly.

Tesla's conference seems to have attracted considerable attention. On Sunday, about 1,000 visitors took the time to learn about the electric car maker's new battery technology. Questions about training and employment at the Berlin super factory were also reportedly addressed.

German news outlet B.Z., citing information it has obtained, noted that internal engineering for battery production at the Berlin super factory is already underway. Barring any unforeseen delays, production of the 4680 cell could begin "in the first quarter of 2023. The goal is reportedly to produce enough batteries to support 500,000 Tesla electric vehicles per year, which is the estimated best output for the Berlin Hyper Fab in its current state.

The Berlin hyperplant still has quite a long way to go before it is fully operational. The facility is currently estimated to produce only about 1,500 Model Ys per week, but eventually, that production is expected to increase to about 10,000 per week. Mastering the production of 4,680 cells will also be a difficult journey, as the larger cells utilize a dry-coated electrode process that is very different from traditional battery manufacturing techniques.


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John Murphy

John Murphy is the founder of TOPCARS Tesla Aftermarket Accessories, as well as an investor in Tesla and owner of the Model Y. He posts about Tesla news while running the site on a daily basis.

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