What materials are Tesla batteries made of?

[HannahLynn]

Tesla batteries are ternary lithium batteries, with lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide as the cathode material. They use 18650 batteries produced by Panasonic. After the official production of Model 3, the new 21700 battery will replace the 18650 as the new cell. The volumetric energy density of the 21700 battery is much higher than that of the 18650 battery cell. The improvement in the energy density of a single cell is far greater than the 20% improvement after grouping. Tesla is an American electric vehicle and energy company that produces and sells electric vehicles, solar panels, and energy storage equipment, headquartered in Palo Alto.

[DeHannah]

I've studied Tesla batteries extensively, and the core materials vary depending on the vehicle model. Currently, the mainstream choice is ternary lithium batteries, which use nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) or nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) as cathode materials. These offer high energy density and strong range but come at a higher cost. The standard versions of Model 3/Y use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, with iron phosphate as the cathode. These are cheaper, more heat-resistant, and have a longer lifespan due to the absence of cobalt and nickel, but they discharge faster in cold weather. The anode is mostly graphite, with the latest 4680 battery adding silicon material to the anode for faster charging. The electrolyte in liquid lithium-ion batteries is responsible for ion conduction, while solid-state electrolytes represent the direction Tesla is researching—a truly revolutionary breakthrough if mass-produced.

[SanHenry]

Having disassembled a Tesla battery pack, the material selection strikes a careful balance between energy and safety. For instance, the 21700 cylindrical cells use nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxide for the cathode, which reduces cobalt content compared to the older 18650 cells while increasing energy density. The electrolyte consists of lithium salts dissolved in organic solvents, and the separator is a polyolefin microporous membrane to prevent short circuits. The battery casing features lightweight aluminum with an internal ceramic coating for enhanced safety. The most intriguing is the 4680 battery, where dry electrode technology minimizes binder usage in the electrodes. The nickel-based cathode material accounts for over 90% of the composition, and the tabless design ensures smoother current flow.

[HeidiLynn]

Tesla batteries follow two technical routes: ternary lithium and lithium iron phosphate. Ternary lithium batteries use nickel-cobalt-aluminum cathode materials with exceptionally high energy density, making them ideal for long-distance driving. Lithium iron phosphate batteries feature an olivine-structured iron phosphate cathode, offering over 4,000 charge cycles and strong safety, making them practical for daily errands. In terms of battery form, cylindrical 21700 and 4680 cells are most commonly used. The 4680 cell measures 46mm in diameter and 80mm in height, featuring a tabless design that reduces resistance and enhances fast charging. The new factory-produced Model Y now uses CATL's M3P battery, which incorporates manganese to balance performance and cost.

[LeCarmen]

Particular attention is paid to the innovative materials of the 4680 battery. Compared to the older 21700, its high-nickel, low-cobalt cathode formulation increases energy density. The silicon-doped anode material provides more storage space for lithium ions, improving charging speed by 16%. Structurally, the laser-welded tabless design replaces traditional copper foil tabs, reducing resistance by five times. The nickel-plated steel casing offers better pressure resistance. The 4680 cells produced at Tesla's Texas factory also utilize dry electrode technology, where the cathode and anode are directly coated onto copper and aluminum foils, eliminating the solvent drying step and doubling production efficiency.