Battery companies CATL, Samsung, SK, and Panasonic, as well as electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, are all competing for large-scale production to lead the market. Due to stagnant sales of electric vehicles or the ongoing shortage of electric vehicles, battery manufacturers are increasingly turning their attention to the next generation cylindrical batteries with a size of 4680.
According to analysts and industry insiders, the so-called 4680 battery with a diameter of 46 millimeters and a length of 80 millimeters is a game changer in the battery industry.
Compared with the traditional 2170 model, the energy density of the 4680 battery will be increased by 5 times, the output power will be increased by 6 times, and the driving range of electric vehicles will be increased by at least 20%.
Although soft pack and prismatic batteries are the most common battery types for many electric vehicle manufacturers, considering the advantages of the 4680 cylindrical battery, some car manufacturers including BMW, General Motors, and Stellantis are gradually adopting the 4680 cylindrical battery.
The difference between 2170 battery and newer 4680 battery
But there are also some challenges. The biggest challenge may be the technological challenge of large-scale production. Almost all major battery manufacturers, including South Korean giants LG New Energy, SK On, and Samsung SDI, are striving to mass produce batteries, but no company has claimed to have achieved this yet.
LG New Energy plans to start mass production from December
After China's CATL and BYD, an official from LG New Energy, the world's third-largest battery company, said, "If mass production becomes a reality, it will change the rules of the game. The 4680 battery is a weapon that can change market dynamics
Earlier this year, LG New Energy CEO Kim Dong myung announced that the company plans to begin mass production of larger cylindrical batteries for Tesla as early as August.
Company executives have now stated that they expect to start mass production of 4680 batteries from December, which is four months later than originally planned. If successful, LG New Energy will become the world's first company to do so.
LG New Energy has stated that it will provide new batteries to Tesla and other customers. This matter is of great significance because according to reports, Tesla is working hard to develop 4680 batteries for its electric vehicles, but it has technical difficulties, including low product production.
Super single-cell battery
Compared with existing traditional batteries, the 4680 battery has higher efficiency, higher safety, and lower cost, and is therefore commonly referred to as a supercell battery.
The weight of the 4680 battery is only 70% to 80% of similar soft pack or prismatic batteries, while maintaining the same energy density, which means a longer driving range.
It does not require a separate module, allowing for a simpler battery management system (BMS) and therefore safer.
However, industry insiders say that manufacturing cylindrical batteries containing key components such as cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and separators is a challenge. Analysts say that it may take at least 10 years for electric vehicles to fully commercialize 4680 batteries.
Intense competition
Due to the distance of solid-state batteries, battery manufacturers are competing to develop 4680 batteries.
Samsung SDI plans to start mass production of 4680 batteries from next year, one year earlier than the original plan of 2026.
Samsung SDI currently produces 2170 and 1865 cylindrical batteries for smartphones and other small electronic devices.
SK On is a subsidiary of SK Innovation, the largest energy company in South Korea, which is operating a working group led directly by the CEO to develop its own 4680 battery.
Panasonic Holdings Corp. has previously stated that it will begin production of 4680 batteries this year, and now the company has set 2025 as its target year for large-scale production.
Industry officials have stated that China's CATL, known for its low-cost LPF (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, is also developing the 4680 battery. However, due to technological challenges, developing a new battery may take the company longer than its competitors.
Industry insiders said, "If South Korean battery companies take the lead in developing a new generation of batteries, they will have a great advantage in attracting large numbers of BMW, Mercedes Benz and other cars that use prismatic batteries produced in China
