Tesla Cybertruck Rumored to Receive Major Battery Upgrade
...Source: https://insideevs.com/news/754141/tes... Transcript: Per InsideEVs, Tesla is preparing to equip the Cybertruck with new dry cathode battery cells, potentially within the next few months. These batteries, developed in-house, could significantly cut production costs—Tesla estimates savings of around $1 billion. However, it's unclear whether those savings will translate to lower Cybertruck prices for customers.
Tesla has been working on this technology for over five years, ever since acquiring Maxwell Technologies in 2019 for $218 million. The process eliminates expensive solvents used in traditional lithium-ion batteries, reducing manufacturing complexity and factory space requirements. However, Tesla faced challenges, including damaged battery production rollers due to uneven dry cathode mixtures.
The transition to dry cathodes is part of Tesla's broader battery strategy, which also includes new chemistries for upcoming models like the Robotaxi and a more affordable vehicle. The Cybertruck, initially priced at $100,000, has already seen price cuts of about $20,000 for certain trims. While the dry cathode battery isn't a game-changer yet, it could be a step toward future breakthroughs like solid-state batteries. More details might emerge during Tesla’s Q1 2025 earnings call in early April.