Panasonic Unveils New Battery Cell Technology with 25% Increased Energy Density
Panasonic, a Japanese manufacturing giant, is working on a new battery cell that can add 90 miles of range to the Tesla Model Y, pushing it to over 450 miles (725 km). This new battery technology has the potential to not only increase the range of electric vehicles but also reduce the weight of the vehicle by using fewer batteries.
A History of Innovation
Panasonic has been a key player in the electric revolution in the automotive industry. When Tesla sought to incorporate Li-ion batteries into electric vehicles, Panasonic was the only battery cell manufacturer to join the effort. Although the partnership helped Panasonic expand its battery business, Korean and Chinese battery cell manufacturers soon surpassed it. Now, the company is looking to catch up with a new novel battery chemistry.
The New Battery Technology
Panasonic’s proposed design eliminates the anode during manufacturing, instead allowing a lithium metal anode to form naturally inside the cell after the first charge. This approach frees up space for more active cathode materials, increasing capacity without changing the overall cell volume. According to Panasonic, this will result in a 25% increase in energy density, which could add about 90 miles of range to the Model Y.
What This Means for the Future
The new battery technology is expected to be available by the end of 2027, although Panasonic has not discussed the cost. If achieved, this improvement could be a significant development in the electric vehicle industry.
