LG to Make Cheaper 4680 Battery for Tesla Cybertruck and Model Y in the US with Cold Weather Cathode
While the Model Y Juniper refresh still comes with the battery capacity of its predecessor, in the US it may move to 4680 batteries with the increase of output spearheaded by Tesla and, now, LG. Tesla's battery supplier LG Chem has demonstrated a precursor-free cathode breakthrough that it will use to make cheaper cells with increased power output in cold weather conditions. Production of said precursor-free cathodes will begin by July, and LG might apply the method to the batteries produced in its Arizona factory that is set to open next year.
- This development could fundamentally alter the electric vehicle landscape by bringing more affordable battery options to market, reducing the cost differential between luxury EVs and mass-market models.
- What implications might this have for Tesla's ability to scale up production and maintain its competitive edge, given that 4680 batteries are seen as a key factor in improving overall range and efficiency?