Tesla and Panasonic collaborate to develop new generation of electric vehicle battery cells

8 January 2010

California-based electric vehicle company Tesla Motors and technology giant Panasonic have formed a partnership to collaborate on the development of next-generation battery cells for electric vehicles.

Tesla, which said it is the only car maker producing highway-capable electric vehicles, will use Panasonic’s battery cells in their newest battery packs, which comprise nickel-based lithium ion chemistry, preferred by Tesla because of high capacity and durability.

‘Our collaboration with Panasonic will accelerate the development of next generation electric vehicle cells, enabling Tesla to further improve our battery pack performance,’ said JB Straubel, Tesla’s chief technology officer. ‘Combining Tesla’s rigorous cell testing and understanding of electric vehicle requirements with Panasonic’s cutting-edge battery technology will result in custom cells optimised for use in electric vehicles.’

Panasonic, one of the world’s largest producers of lithium-ion battery cells, is midway through a three-year $1bn investment in lithium-ion battery cell R&D and production facilities. The first of the new facilities in Suminoe, Japan will begin production in April 2010.

‘Being selected by Tesla to provide cells for their current and next- generation electric vehicle battery pack is a tremendous validation of Panasonic’s nickel-based chemistry and the extensive investments Panasonic continues to make in lithium ion R&D and production,’ said Naoto Noguchi, president of Panasonic Energy Company.

Tesla’s current battery strategy incorporates proprietary packaging using cells from multiple battery suppliers. Tesla has already delivered more than 900 cars to customers in North America and Europe. Its new cell will also be compatible with other cell form factors to enable the continuation of Tesla’s strategy of using cells from multiple suppliers.

San Carlos, California-based Tesla has delivered nearly 900 Roadster vehicles to customers in North America and Europe. In addition to South Florida, Tesla the company has showrooms in California’s Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Boulder, London Munich and Monaco.

Copyright © 2010 NewNet

Tags: electric vehicles, energy efficiency

This story was published on Friday, January 8th, 2010 at 1:08 pm and is filed under North America, companies, energy efficiency. You can follow any responses to article entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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