New-generation 4680 batteries making a debut at Tesla

AUSTIN: Tesla is debuting its next-generation battery on its Model Y, promising larger, lower-cost, longer-lasting cells.

The new battery is currently only available to the brand's employees, according to the Electrek website.

Tesla's new 4680 battery cells (46mm in diameter and 80mm high) have a higher capacity and therefore promise greater range. However, they are also twice as large as the units currently in use by Tesla, so it is not possible to fit as many into the same car.

These batteries will eventually allow Tesla to offer either vehicles with almost equivalent range for a lower price than today, or long-range vehicles for an equivalent price.

In this latest configuration, the Model Y Standard Range AWD has an estimated range of 449km and is priced from US$59,990 (RM254,000) — US$3,000 (RM12,700) less than the Model Y Performance, which has a range of 487km. For now, only Tesla employees can order this version.

The general public should be able to order it in a few weeks when it appears in the brand's online configuration tool.

However, it will be several years before the entire Tesla range adopts this new generation of batteries.

It could potentially allow Tesla to offer a relatively long-range model priced under the symbolic US$30,000 (RM127,000) mark sooner than expected.

In the meantime, these batteries could equip the forthcoming Cybertruck pickup, which is not expected to go into production before 2023.