Tesla is one of the industry trendsetters in terms of electric vehicles. Elon Musk has recently revealed Tesla’s plans for new Manganese battery technology. This will use Manganese based cathode.
What Does Elon Musk Believe About EV Batteries?
According to Musk, finding alternatives for EV batteries is crucial. That’s because the entire working of this segment depends upon them.
He made the revelations at the Tesla Gigafactory Berlin where the delivery of the first Model Y, produced at this factory, was arranged.
He was asked about graphene batteries. However, Musk said that Tesla is working on other technologies to broaden its spectrum.
He categorically stated that for now, Tesla plans to use just two battery chemistries.
– For long-range vehicles: Nickel based batteries;
– For short-range vehicles: Iron Phosphate batteries.
What Makes Manganese Battery Cells Exclusive?
While batteries are the most pivotal part of EVs, they are required in huge numbers. This is why, for meeting the need of the upcoming EV revolution, materials that are not only cheap but also widely available are required.
Manganese has the benefit that it is much cheaper than Nickel batteries. Besides this, it has a relatively higher energy density than iron-phosphate batteries.
Both of these are pivotal factors because
– We want cheap EV batteries for making this segment successful;
– Energy density has to be high if the EV range has to be good.
As Manganese possesses both of these attributes, it is a great material for use in EV batteries of the future.
Which Technology With Manganese Has Tesla Used Before This?
The NMC chemistry is worth mentioning because it uses a substantial amount of Manganese. Tesla has already used it in its Powerwall.
This makes the company competent enough of developing a great EV battery with Manganese.
It is also worth noting that using Manganese for EV batteries is not an entirely new thing. The Nissan Leaf, which was one of the pioneers of the EV segment, also had a Manganese cathode.
Types Of Battery Technologies Used By Tesla
Another battery technology that Tesla has used previously is the Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide.
In 2021, the company decided to discontinue the Nickel Cobalt Aluminum batteries. They were replaced by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) ones.
In this way, the company increased its profits considerably. This was possible as the LFP battery technology is much cheaper to manufacture.
– The LFP batteries were added particularly to Tesla vehicles delivered to the Chinese market;
– This was mainly because around 95% of all LFP battery manufacturing takes place in China.
Last year, Tesla offered early deliveries to vehicle owners who opted for the LFP battery packs instead of the conventional ones.
In this way, it was able to tempt a large number of customers to this technology by not giving them a rebate rather by offering quicker deliveries.
What About Battery Recycling?
Battery recycling is another dilemma of the modern-day. Millions of EV batteries are discarded each year. That is why the segment requires a considerable thought process.
However, the LFP battery technology is also more recyclable. It is safer for the environment as most of the material required for such batteries is reused.
Final Verdict
Tesla is always on the hunt for newer and better technologies when it comes to EV batteries.
The recent attempt to use Manganese based cathodes is another attempt from the automaker to bring improvements to the segment as a whole.
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