The 4680 is not about higher energy density. It will have a lower energy density than other cells or cell formats. But this is mainly about costs. Also the dry coating is only about costs to safe on the expensive drying processes. By now, they probably have both electrodes done via dry processing.
Battery day promised a 5x increase in cell power. This fooled the mathematically challenged who could not figure out that the bigger cell has 5x the volume. It's another smoke and mirrors trick by Musk
Though I realize this is more about manufacturing than design, we might also mention Tesla's 4680 battery cells use dry electrods. Initially limited to the anode, the cathodes are now produced using a "dry" process.
This process greatly reduces the factory footprint needed to manufacture them. It also reduces the capital investment in machinery and toxic emissions from the manufacturing process. Time will tell how much this reduces cost and improves energy density.
I do think Tesla should invest in LFP batteries. I just love the relative simplicity of that chemistry. It doesn't get more abundant or simple than iron and phosphate.
It is not clear to me that they are using dry electrodes. I’ve seen some reports of dry anodes in some of the prototype cells, but it is unclear if they have succeeded to mass produce 4680 cells with dry electrodes.
It was reported that dry cathodes entered production late in 2024, but perhaps that could have been confusion with some prototypes. Either way, I think it's coming very soon.
The 4680 is not about higher energy density. It will have a lower energy density than other cells or cell formats. But this is mainly about costs. Also the dry coating is only about costs to safe on the expensive drying processes. By now, they probably have both electrodes done via dry processing.
Indeed, dry processing eliminates the costly drying and solvent recovery process, making the whole cell making process cheaper.
Have you seen any confirmation that dry processing is successfully scaled up? Can you share, as I might’ve missed it.
Battery day promised a 5x increase in cell power. This fooled the mathematically challenged who could not figure out that the bigger cell has 5x the volume. It's another smoke and mirrors trick by Musk
Though I realize this is more about manufacturing than design, we might also mention Tesla's 4680 battery cells use dry electrods. Initially limited to the anode, the cathodes are now produced using a "dry" process.
This process greatly reduces the factory footprint needed to manufacture them. It also reduces the capital investment in machinery and toxic emissions from the manufacturing process. Time will tell how much this reduces cost and improves energy density.
I do think Tesla should invest in LFP batteries. I just love the relative simplicity of that chemistry. It doesn't get more abundant or simple than iron and phosphate.
It is not clear to me that they are using dry electrodes. I’ve seen some reports of dry anodes in some of the prototype cells, but it is unclear if they have succeeded to mass produce 4680 cells with dry electrodes.
It was reported that dry cathodes entered production late in 2024, but perhaps that could have been confusion with some prototypes. Either way, I think it's coming very soon.