New Cybertruck model could revolutionize the EV industry

Tesla recently unveiled its first Cybertruck fitted with innovative dry-cathode 4680 batteries, which could be a game changer for the EV industry. 

Tesla’s Cybertruck finally began rolling off the production line at the Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, late last year.

You don’t need us to tell you they’ve proven to be a big hit. 

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A Cybertruck fitted with the new batteries is being tested

So much so, that registration figures for Cybertrucks from May overtook both the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T. 

In an attempt to meet demand, drone footage from earlier this year appeared to show production had been seriously ramped up at the Gigafactory.

Now, a new type of Cybertruck, featuring in-house dry cathode 4680 cells, is being put through its paces at the plant. 

“Introducing the first-ever dry cathode Cybertruck! In July, we kicked off vehicle testing with our groundbreaking in-house dry cathode 4680 cells,” Tesla senior manufacturing engineer Cole Otto wrote on LinkedIn. 

“This is a significant milestone in advancing both technology and cost efficiency. Proud to be part of the brilliant team that made this historic achievement possible.”

The new cells could be a game changer for Tesla

Until five years ago, Tesla only produced battery cells in partnership with Panasonic. 

However, the company acquired Maxwell so it could use its dry electrode coating process for battery cell production.

Maxwell had developed the electrode coating process for its supercapacitor production, but Tesla was hopeful it could be repurposed to create battery cells, Auto Evolution reports. 

This can drastically reduce costs when it comes to battery cell manufacturing, with some reports suggesting it could cut costs by up to 50 percent, while also saving space at the Tesla factory and allowing the carmaker to scale up production quicker. 

So basically, it’s a real win/win/win. 

“This Cybertruck is fully made by Tesla on our mass production scale dry electrode machines. [Center of gravity] is surprisingly similar considering it’s carrying the weight of five years of blood, sweat, and tears,” said senior director of Tesla’s 4680 team Bonne Eggleston on X. 

Although Tesla is yet to make an announcement, reports suggest the carmaker could start mass production of the new cells by the end of the year. 

Watch this space.