Who makes Tesla Batteries? Does Tesla make its own batteries

Who makes Tesla Batteries? Does Tesla make its own batteries? Lithium in particular has caught the attention of CEO Elon Musk. Back in 2020, the battery metal had a spotlight moment at Tesla’s Battery Day, when Musk shared that the company had bought tenements in the US state of Nevada, and was looking for a new way to produce lithium from clay — a process yet to be proven at commercial scale.

Since then, lithium prices have hit all-time highs and, despite retreating in 2023, have stayed elevated. Prices for other key battery metals have also increased, leading to higher costs for batteries themselves. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, raw materials currently make up about 80 percent of battery costs, up from around 40 percent back in 2015.

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Who makes Tesla Batteries?

There are numerous businesses that produce Tesla batteries, including:

CATL
BYD Panasonic
LG
Energy Solution

In order to build the batteries for its electric vehicles, Tesla has manufacturing agreements with these businesses. Tesla’s gigafactories, which are based in Texas, Shanghai, Berlin, and Nevada, manufacture the batteries.

Tesla’s longest-standing battery partner has been Panasonic, while LG Energy Solution and CATL have recently grown in importance as suppliers. Although BYD is a more recent supplier to Tesla, it is anticipated that it will eventually play a significant part in the company’s battery supply chain.

Additionally, Tesla is attempting to create its own battery technology. Maxwell Technologies, a business that creates dry electrode coating technology, was purchased by Tesla in 2020. This technology is being used by Tesla to create its own proprietary battery cells.

In the long run, Tesla wants to make all of its own batteries. However, for the time being, a sizable amount of Tesla’s battery requirements still depend on external vendors.

Here is a more thorough list of Tesla’s battery collaborators:

Panasonic: Since 2010, the Japanese electronics firm Panasonic has partnered with Tesla to produce batteries. Tesla’s Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles all use batteries that are made by Panasonic.
LG Energy Solution: In 2019, the South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution partnered with Tesla. Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y automobiles use batteries made by LG Energy Solution.
Chinese battery manufacturer CATL joined the Tesla battery partnership in 2020. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y batteries are made by CATL.
BYD: In 2022, the Chinese battery and electric vehicle manufacturer BYD joined the ranks of Tesla’s battery partners. The Model 3 and Model Y batteries from Tesla are made by BYD.

The battery supply chain for Tesla is intricate and international. The corporation buys batteries for its vehicles from a variety of different vendors. With this diversification, Tesla is able to lower its risk and guarantee a steady supply of batteries.

Does Tesla make its own batteries?

Tesla is attempting to create its own battery technology and manufacture batteries internally, but for the time being, a sizable amount of its battery requirements are met by external vendors.

Maxwell Technologies, a business that creates dry electrode coating technology, was purchased by Tesla in 2020. This technology is being used by Tesla to create its own proprietary battery cells. In Fremont, California, Tesla also operates a battery pilot plant where it develops and tests new battery technology.

Tesla can’t currently make all of its own batteries, though. Tesla made around 10% of its own battery cells in 2022. It’s unclear when Tesla will be able to generate all of its own batteries, but the company expects to enhance internal battery production in the upcoming years.

Until then, the majority of Tesla’s batteries are made by third parties. The companies Panasonic, LG Energy Solution, CATL, and BYD are currently Tesla’s battery providers.

In the long run, Tesla wants to make all of its own batteries. By doing this, Tesla would have more control over its supply chain and be able to lower prices. Tesla is also attempting to create new battery technologies that are less expensive to produce and have a higher energy density.

The creation of Tesla’s proprietary battery technology is a huge project. Tesla is dedicated to producing all of its own batteries, though it is uncertain when that will be possible.

Who is Tesla’s largest battery manufacturer?

CATL is the main battery supplier for Tesla. Since 2020, Tesla has partnered with the Chinese battery manufacturer CATL. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y batteries are made by CATL.

Tesla sourced more than 40% of its batteries from CATL in 2022. As a result, CATL became by far Tesla’s largest battery supplier.

Panasonic and LG Energy Solution are two additional significant Tesla battery providers. Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y vehicles use batteries made by LG Energy Solution, whereas its Model S and Model X vehicles use batteries made by Panasonic.

Tesla is attempting to improve its internal battery production, but a sizable amount of its battery requirements are still met by other vendors.

Here is a list of Tesla’s top battery suppliers:

LG
Energy Solution
CATL
BYD Panasonic

Who does Tesla get their lithium batteries from?

Tesla sources its lithium batteries from a number of vendors, such as:

Livent (US) and Albemarle (US)
SQM (Chile), Tianqi Lithium (China), and Ganfeng Lithium (China)

To maintain a consistent supply of lithium, Tesla has long-term supply agreements with these businesses. The business is also attempting to establish its own operations for mining and processing lithium.

A crucial component of lithium-ion batteries, the kind utilized in Tesla automobiles, is lithium. Because they are lightweight and energy-dense, lithium-ion batteries are perfect for electric cars.

Tesla is dedicated to using lithium from ethical and environmental sources. The business has collaborated with its suppliers to create ethical mining and processing procedures for lithium. For the purpose of creating new lithium-ion battery technologies that consume less lithium, Tesla is also funding research and development.

Here is a more thorough breakdown of Tesla’s lithium vendors:

One of the biggest manufacturers of lithium in the world is Albemarle, a chemical firm with headquarters in the US. Albemarle’s plants in Australia and Chile provide lithium to Tesla.
Livent: Another significant producer of lithium is the US-based chemical business Livent. Livent’s activities in Argentina provide lithium to Tesla.
One of the biggest manufacturers of lithium in the world is a Chinese corporation called Ganfeng Lithium. Tesla receives its lithium from Ganfeng Lithium’s plants in China and Australia.
Tianqi Lithium is a Chinese firm that is a significant producer of lithium. From its operations in Australia, Tianqi Lithium provides lithium to Tesla.
One of the biggest producers of lithium in the world is SQM, a Chilean business. SQM’s plants in Chile provide lithium to Tesla.

Tesla is seeking to lessen its dependency on China and diversify its lithium supply chain. Tesla and Piedmont Lithium, a US-based lithium mining firm, struck a supply agreement in 2022. Additionally, Tesla is funding lithium mining activities in Canada and Australia.

Because mining for lithium can have detrimental effects on the environment and society, Tesla’s dedication to sourcing ethical and sustainable sources of lithium is crucial. Tesla is making an effort to limit the detrimental effects of its lithium supply chain and to make sure that its lithium is sourced ethically.

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