Tesla Delays Solid-State Battery Use, Says Panasonic and CATL

Key Takeaways

1. Panasonic believes solid-state batteries are better for small applications, not for electric vehicles, calling them a “niche” option.
2. Solid-state batteries offer high energy density but have high production costs, limiting their practicality for mass-market EVs.
3. CATL warns that widespread adoption of solid-state batteries is still years away, pushing back their expectations for mass production.
4. The cost of even semi-solid electrolyte batteries is high, making them less accessible for many electric vehicle makers.
5. Tesla is unlikely to adopt solid-state battery technology soon due to cost management concerns.

It appears that a Tesla featuring solid-state batteries won’t be arriving anytime soon, as two of its battery suppliers have dismissed the practicality of this technology for electric vehicles.

Panasonic’s Take on Solid-State Batteries

Panasonic, Tesla’s primary battery supplier, believes that solid-state batteries are more suited for applications like drones or small tools, rather than large and costly battery packs used in electric cars. Tatsuo Ogawa, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, voiced his skepticism during a meeting with the R&D team in Osaka, describing solid-state batteries as a “niche” option that won’t revolutionize the industry as some might hope.

The Potential and Challenges

Although solid-state batteries are indeed safer and can achieve energy densities of up to 500 Wh/kg—significantly higher than the current ternary lithium batteries—they come with a hefty price tag in production. Toyota, the first major automaker to invest in this technology, plans to use solid-state batteries exclusively for high-end electric vehicles under its Lexus brand.

CATL’s Perspective

Another of Tesla’s battery suppliers, CATL, shares a cautious stance regarding solid-state batteries. Having spent the last ten years studying this technology and developing prototypes for pilot production, they warn that widespread adoption of this costly technology could still be quite a ways off. Originally, CATL foresaw 2030 as the year when mass-produced electric vehicles with solid-state batteries would emerge. However, they have now adjusted their expectations and aim to compete with companies like Toyota and Samsung, who are targeting a 2027 launch.

Cost Concerns for EV Makers

Even the semi-solid electrolyte batteries used by companies like NIO come with steep costs. NIO’s 150 kWh semi-solid battery pack can power its ET9 sedan for over 600 miles on a single charge, but the price is comparable to one of its smaller models, leading NIO to offer it as a rental for extended summer trips.

Given that a true solid-state battery pack would be even pricier than the current transitional batteries containing 5% liquid electrolyte, Tesla, which is concentrating on managing its costs effectively, is unlikely to incorporate this technology into its vehicles in the near future.

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