Panasonic Presents First Lithium-Ion Cells to Tesla

Electric Car News | admin | April 23, 2010 at 8:38 am

Panasonic Energy Co. officials presented a top Tesla Motors executive with the first lithium-ion battery cells made at the new factory in Suminoe, Japan.

The new factory will start producing 3.1Ah battery cells, the highest energy density cells available in the market. The facility will produce more than 300 million cells per year.

“These cutting-edge Panasonic batteries will combine with Tesla’s battery pack technology to produce the highest-energy density EV battery packs in the world,” said Tesla Chief Technology Officer JB Straubel.

Tesla announced Wednesday that its Roadster model will be available to selected customers in Japan. Earlier this year, Tesla announced a partnership with Panasonic to accelerate the development of next generation EV cells.

The company said it has delivered more than 1,000 two-seat Roadsters to customers in North America.