Dry cathode 4680 cells coming soon to Cybertruck

[Mini2nut]

According to this article Tesla will realize about $1B is savings. The Cybertruck will be the first Tesla to use the new cells.

https://insideevs.com/news/754141/tesla-cybertruck-ev-battery-upgrade-dry-cathode/

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[Crissa]

According to this article Tesla will realize about $1B is savings. The Cybertruck will be the first Tesla to use the new cells.

https://insideevs.com/news/754141/tesla-cybertruck-ev-battery-upgrade-dry-cathode/

I don't see anything new in this article.

The dry process doesn't increase power density, and they're already using partially-dry cells in the truck now.

-Crissa

 

[mongo]

I'm thinking the addition of the 2025 AWD CT to the 30D Clean Vehicle Credit list indicates they have already switched to in-house DBE cathodes.
Otherwise, they switched to and validated a 3rd source for electrodes (or complete cells) for the carry over period. Which seems unlikely.
High volume production would take longer, matching the report (maybe? It's paywalled)

 

[Mini2nut]

The rumor was that Tesla had switched to non Chinese sourced materials hence the $7500 tax credit. If they had switched to the new dry cathode manufacturing method I think Elon or other senior executive would have mentioned it on X.

 

[mongo]

The rumor was that Tesla had switched to non Chinese sourced materials hence the $7500 tax credit. If they had switched to the new dry cathode manufacturing method I think Elon or other senior executive would have mentioned it on X.

They said last year around June that they were testing full DBE packs.

 

[Mini2nut]

Correct. They may still be going through the validation process.

 

[mongo]

Correct. They may still be going through the validation process.

Or they completed it and are waiting until Q1 earnings to announce it...
Otherwise, they switched to a different validated supplier. However, Elon's recent town hall which called out lowest cell cost makes me think it's in-house.

 

[cbr1000]

I thought they switched to dry 4680 cells already?

 

[Crissa]

I thought they switched to dry 4680 cells already?

I think they managed dry anode, but they're currently putting a wet cathode - although made at their factory - into current trucks.

I gave up following The Limiting Factor, although he had the best collection of the disparate sources on the subject. Tesla doesn't say, because whenever they do, there are some media voices which take any delays as permanent which is nonsensical.

-Crissa

 

[mongo]

I think they managed dry anode, but they're currently putting a wet cathode - although made at their factory - into current trucks.

I gave up following The Limiting Factor, although he had the best collection of the disparate sources on the subject. Tesla doesn't say, because whenever they do, there are some media voices which take any delays as permanent which is nonsensical.

-Crissa

Tesla changed something in the cell to qualify for the New Clean Vehicle Credit, either sourcing non-Chinese cathodes or using in-house DBE ones.
They had been testing DBE packs since June of last year, so it's possible that worked out.

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