Summary
- CATL chairman doubts Tesla’s 4680 battery cell success in the long run
- Tesla has produced 100 million 4680 battery cells at Gigafactory Texas
- Tesla and CATL have a licensing deal for battery technology in Nevada
- CATL chairman supports Tesla’s FSD Supervised strategy
- CATL hopes to build a U.S. production facility under Trump administration
Article
CATL Chairman Robin Zeng recently expressed doubts about the success of Tesla’s 4680 battery cell technology, stating that he didn’t believe it would be successful in the long run. Zeng had a conversation with Elon Musk earlier this year and reportedly told him that the cylindrical 4680 battery was going to fail and never be successful. Zeng also mentioned that Tesla CEO Elon Musk was better equipped to handle other technologies than battery cells, and that Musk was silent during their debate on the topic.
Tesla has been working on four dry cathode 4680 battery variants, as reported by The Information. In September, Tesla announced that it had produced its 100 millionth 4680 battery cell at Gigafactory Texas and is expanding its facility in Nevada to add a dedicated 4680 cell production facility. The company has a licensing deal with CATL for technology related to producing batteries in Nevada, set to officially launch in 2025.
In addition to discussing battery technology, Zeng and Musk also talked about Tesla’s focus on autonomy. Zeng supports Tesla’s Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) strategy, which utilizes cameras as sensors instead of multiple layers of redundant technologies. Zeng agrees with Tesla’s overall approach to autonomy, but he pointed out that Musk tends to set unrealistic timelines for new vehicle technologies, saying that two-year timelines may as well be “infinity.”
CATL expressed a hope for building a U.S. production facility under President-elect Donald Trump. Zeng mentioned that they initially wanted to invest in the U.S. but were met with resistance from the government. Trump has expressed openness to Chinese companies building factories in the U.S., despite recent tariffs on electric vehicle imports. CATL hopes that the U.S. government will be open to investments in the future and allow them to build a production facility in the country.
While Musk has acknowledged criticisms of his timeline predictions, he defended his optimism as a vital part of his accomplishments. Musk admitted to being overly optimistic at times but stated that without his optimism, many of his endeavors may not have been attempted. He believes that his optimism is a driving force for the existence of Tesla’s factories and projects. Despite criticism, Musk remains confident in his ability to deliver on his promises.
CATL has also developed a new LFP cell that offers over 620 miles of range and ultra-fast charging. The company continues to innovate in the battery technology sector, despite expressing doubts about the success of Tesla’s 4680 battery cell. Ultimately, the relationship between CATL, Tesla, and the future of battery technology remains complex and uncertain, as the companies navigate technological advancements and competitive landscapes in the electric vehicle market.
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