What brand of batteries does Tesla use?
3 Answers
Tesla's batteries are 18650 cells produced by Panasonic. After the official production of Model 3, the new 21700 battery will replace the 18650 as the new cell. More information about Tesla batteries is as follows: 1. Panasonic's NCR18650A battery: Tesla's earliest Roadster used Panasonic's NCR18650A battery, with a rated voltage of 3.6V and a capacity of 3.1Ah. The previous 85kWh battery pack used the NCR18650B battery, with a rated voltage of 3.6V and a capacity of 3.1Ah. 2. 21700 battery: It is a ternary lithium battery with a cathode material of lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA). This cylindrical ternary battery is currently the power battery solution with the highest energy density. Compared to prismatic batteries, although this type of battery has high energy density, its stability is poorer and requires excellent BMS (Battery Management System) support. Under current conditions, the energy density of the 21700 battery system produced is around 300Wh/kg, which is about 20% higher than the original 18650 battery system's 250Wh/kg. According to Panasonic's test data for power lithium battery cells, the volumetric energy density of its 21700 battery is much higher than that of the 18650 battery cell. The improvement in single-cell energy density far exceeds the 20% increase after grouping.
Tesla uses a variety of battery brands, and as an EV enthusiast who frequently researches electric vehicles, I know it varies by model and year. Early Model S and X primarily relied on Panasonic's lithium-ion batteries, which offered outstanding performance and great range. Later, with the introduction of Model 3 and Model Y, the battery supply chain expanded. In U.S. factories, Panasonic and LG Energy Solution batteries were used, while in Chinese factories, CATL's LFP batteries were adopted—cost-effective and eco-friendly. In recent years, Tesla has also developed its own 4680 battery, used in the Cybertruck, which is smaller in size but has higher energy density. I've heard that in Australia and Europe, some models mix these brands to optimize the supply chain and reduce costs. The advantage of LFP batteries is their long lifespan and lower fire risk, though winter range may suffer. In short, Tesla doesn’t stick to one brand—it depends on the specific model and region, reflecting their flexible strategy.
I focus on electric vehicles primarily for environmental reasons. Tesla's diversified battery sources impact sustainability. For example, the Model 3 Standard Range sold in China uses CATL's lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are cobalt-free, easier to recycle, and much more eco-friendly. However, the Performance version in the U.S. still relies on Panasonic's traditional lithium-ion batteries, offering higher energy density and faster acceleration. I also noticed Tesla plans to introduce its in-house 4680 batteries for new models, reportedly reducing carbon emissions by 30% through optimized manufacturing. Battery choice directly affects charging cycles and lifespan—CATL's LFP batteries are cheaper but charge slower, while Panasonic's charge faster. This mixed supply helps Tesla balance ecological footprint and performance, which I think is great, making EVs more affordable while reducing resource waste.
