LG Power Answer (LGES), one of many world’s largest producers of lithium-ion batteries for EVs, is anticipated to quickly launch new high-capacity cylindrical battery cells.
In accordance with Naver (through Drive Tesla Canada), LG Power Answer CEO Kim Dong-Myung introduced that the brand new 4680-type cylindrical format (diameter of 46 mm and peak of 80 mm) is coming “quickly”—as early as in August 2024.
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4680-type cells are greater and higher
The brand new 4680-type are the biggest cylindrical cells for EVs. A much bigger kind issue permits for improved power density and decrease manufacturing price per power unit. An extra profit is an easier battery pack (a smaller variety of particular person battery cells to attach and management). Nonetheless, the rise in dimension brings many challenges that should be solved to keep up high-quality and dependable manufacturing.
The 4680-type batteries have been initially launched by Tesla, a number of years in the past. The corporate produces 4680-type in-house at its pilot facility in California and the Giga Texas manufacturing facility. Nonetheless, as we perceive, Tesla inspired its battery provider to additionally launch 4680-type cells.
At present, solely Tesla makes use of the 4680-type format in all-electric automobiles (first in one of many variations of the Tesla Mannequin Y produced in Texas and now within the Tesla Cybertruck). Nonetheless, a number of different OEMs intend to make use of new, high-capacity cylindrical batteries with a diameter of 46 mm and varied heights (together with BMW). Additionally, the queue of battery suppliers with 46xx merchandise is getting longer (together with Panasonic and CATL).
The report says that LGES will begin sequence manufacturing of the 4680-type cells in August at its Ochang facility in South Korea.
The corporate plans to provide the brand new batteries in the US, at its new manufacturing facility in Arizona (presently beneath building), in all probability round 2025. Manufacturing within the U.S. is a vital step as a result of Inflation Discount Act of 2022 (IRA), which linked the $7,500 federal tax credit score and different incentives with native manufacturing.
The report says that manufacturing of the 4680-type batteries would possibly doubtlessly occur additionally in China, on the Nanjing manufacturing facility, which already makes smaller 2170-type cells for Tesla Mannequin 3/Mannequin Y.
Individually, LGES expects to begin manufacturing of its personal LFP batteries (lithium iron phosphate cathode chemistry) across the second half of 2025. The event of LFP by LG Chem was rumored in 2021 and confirmed in 2022. Time will inform whether or not it will likely be batteries for EVs or simply for battery power storage methods (BEES).