Tesla said that in the first quarter of 2022, the model y loaded with 4680 batteries will be delivered soon. It is estimated that by the end of 2022, Tesla 4680 battery capacity will reach 100GWh per year, meeting the use of 1.3 million electric vehicles. China Securities Journal reporter learned from Eve Energy Co.Ltd(300014) and other manufacturers that companies are accelerating the construction of 4680 battery production line. The agency expects that 4680 battery is expected to lead the development direction of power battery industry in 2022.
4680 battery assisted cost reduction and efficiency increase
Tesla previously said that it is producing model y equipped with 4680 batteries at its Austin factory, and the first batch of vehicles equipped with 4680 batteries will be delivered in the first quarter of this year. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, said that the super factory in Berlin, Germany, will be the world’s largest battery factory, with an annual production capacity of more than 100GWh, and may even reach 200gwh to 250gwh.
Data show that the full name of 4680 cylindrical battery is 4680 specification electrodeless ear cylindrical battery. Cylindrical battery means that the shape of the battery is cylindrical; 4680 refers to the specification of the battery, 46 refers to the diameter of the cylindrical battery is 46mm, and 80 refers to the height of the battery is 80mm. Senior figures in the battery industry said that previously, the dimensions of cylindrical lithium batteries were mainly 18650 and 21700. The energy of 21700 was 50% more than that of 18650, and 4680 was five times that of 21700.
Minsheng Securities said that the 4680 battery adopts the new electrodeless ear technology in the cell structure, which can reduce the cost and increase the efficiency. On the one hand, the electrodeless ear technology increases the current conduction area, shortens the current conduction distance and greatly reduces the internal resistance of the battery; The reduction of internal resistance can reduce the current offset and prolong the service life of the battery; The reduction of resistance can also reduce heat generation. The effective contact area between the electrode conductive coating and the battery end cover can reach 100%, which can improve the heat dissipation capacity.
In addition, the 4680 battery optimizes the battery structure and simplifies the production process, and the cost per kilowatt hour will be reduced by 14%; The welding process of the pole lug is omitted, the production efficiency is improved, and the defect rate caused by welding can be reduced at the same time.
listed companies step up layout
Many battery manufacturers such as Eve Energy Co.Ltd(300014) and bick battery are stepping up the layout of 4680 battery production line.
In an interview with the reporter of China Securities Journal, the relevant person in charge said that the 4680 battery plant of the company was under construction, and it was inconvenient for the partner to disclose. On November 4, 2021, Eve Energy Co.Ltd(300014) announced that it plans to invest 30.521 billion yuan in Jingmen, land acquisition of about 3000 mu, and build Jingmen power energy storage battery industrial park with an annual output of 152.61 GWH. Eve Energy Co.Ltd(300014) has publicly stated that the company has completed the strategic layout of large cylindrical batteries, including 4680 and 4695 models. It is expected that the production capacity will release 20gwh in 2023 and 40gwh in 2024.
On March 19, 2021, when holding a media communication meeting, BIC battery said that BIC battery was cooperating with customers in the application development of the next generation cylindrical battery – full polar ear large cylindrical battery. Fan Wenguang, head of research and development of bick battery cell, said: “we have tried batteries with (diameter) 26mm and 32mm and height from 70mm to 140mm before. Tesla joined the 4680 battery industry and made a good endorsement for this technology, leading us to the diameter of 46mm.” Bick battery believes that the industrial mass production of large cylindrical batteries is expected to start in 2023 and will be applied in the power battery market as early as possible.
Panasonic made it clear that the mass-produced 4680 battery will be directly supplied to Tesla. Hirokazu Umeda, Panasonic’s chief financial officer, said at the financial report meeting that Panasonic would start trial production of 4680 batteries at the Wakayama County factory near Panasonic’s Osaka headquarters in early 2022. “After various tests, we will install a new 4680 battery mass production line, which may also be in hegeshan county.” Meitian said that once the 4680 battery can be delivered, Panasonic will first give priority to Tesla. According to Panasonic’s production plan, the company is expected to invest about 80 billion yen (about US $700 million) to produce 4680 batteries in Japan, with an annual output of about 10gwh, which can provide power batteries for 150000 vehicles every year.
Minsheng Securities Research Report believes that the 4680 battery has a high degree of standardization, large-scale mass production possibility and broad growth space.
