## Panasonic Unveils New Battery Technology to Boost Tesla Model Y Range **News Title:** Panasonic has battery that can give Tesla Model Y 450 miles of range **Report Provider:** Electrek (Author: Fred Lambert) **Date:** Published September 18, 2025 ### Key Findings and Conclusions Panasonic, a prominent Japanese manufacturing giant, is developing a novel battery cell technology that promises to significantly enhance the range of electric vehicles, particularly the Tesla Model Y. The company claims this new battery could add approximately **90 miles of range** to the Model Y, potentially pushing its total range to **over 450 miles (725 km)**. ### Critical Information and Statistics * **Range Increase:** The new battery cell is projected to add around **90 miles (approximately 145 km)** to the Tesla Model Y's driving range. * **Total Range Potential:** This improvement could bring the Model Y's total range to **over 450 miles (725 km)**. * **Energy Density Improvement:** Panasonic anticipates a **25% increase in energy density** with this new technology. This increase is attributed to a design that eliminates the anode during manufacturing, allowing a lithium metal anode to form naturally after the first charge. This frees up space for more active cathode materials (nickel, cobalt, and aluminum), thereby increasing capacity without altering the cell's overall volume. * **Availability Timeline:** Panasonic aims to make this new battery technology available by the **end of 2027**. * **Historical Context:** Panasonic played a crucial role in the early adoption of Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles, being the sole battery cell manufacturer to partner with Tesla during its initial efforts. While this partnership was beneficial for Panasonic's battery business, Korean and Chinese manufacturers have since surpassed it. The company is now seeking to regain its competitive edge with this new chemistry. ### Notable Risks and Concerns * **"Battery Breakthrough" Skepticism:** The article expresses a degree of caution regarding "battery breakthrough" announcements, noting that they often fail to deliver substantial results. * **Cost and Longevity:** A key concern is whether Panasonic can achieve the projected 25% energy density increase at a **reasonable cost** while maintaining **longevity**. New battery technologies often face challenges in one or more of these aspects. * **Competitive Landscape:** The success of this technology is important for Panasonic to put pressure on its competitors from China and Korea. ### Financial Data * **Cost:** Panasonic has **not discussed the cost** associated with this new battery technology. ### Trends and Changes * **Technological Advancement:** This development signifies Panasonic's effort to innovate and compete in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle battery market. * **Focus on Energy Density:** The core of the innovation lies in increasing energy density, a key metric for extending EV range. * **Strategic Shift:** Panasonic is looking to leverage new battery chemistry to catch up with leading competitors. ### Recommendations (Implied) * The article implicitly suggests that if Panasonic can deliver on its promises of increased energy density at a reasonable cost with good longevity, this new battery could be a significant success. ### Important Statements * "Panasonic states that the new battery technology will be available by the end of 2027." * "If achieved, the improvement would lead to a 25% increase in battery capacity, thus boosting the driving range of Tesla’s most affordable sport-utility vehicle, the Model Y, by almost 90 miles (about 145 km), at current battery pack size, Panasonic said." * "I’m always wary of “battery breakthrough” announcements, as they rarely pan out to anything substantial, but if they can deliver a 25% increase in energy density at a reasonable cost with longevity, it could be a winner."
Panasonic has battery that can give Tesla Model Y 450 miles of range
Read original at Electrek →Panasonic, the Japanese manufacturing giant, says it is working on a new battery cell that can add 90 miles of range to the Tesla Model Y – pushing it to over 450 miles (725 km). Of course, it could also just use fewer batteries and reduce the weight of the vehicle or other EVs. Panasonic deserves considerable credit for the electric revolution in the automotive industry this millennium.
When Tesla sought to incorporate Li-ion batteries into electric vehicles, Panasonic was the only battery cell manufacturer to join the effort. The partnership helped Panasonic significantly expand its battery business, but Korean and Chinese battery cell manufacturers soon surpassed it. Now, the company is looking to catch up with a new novel battery chemistry.
Panasonic’s proposed design eliminates the anode during manufacturing. Instead, a lithium metal anode forms naturally inside the cell after the first charge. This approach frees up space for more active cathode materials — nickel, cobalt, and aluminum — increasing capacity without changing the overall cell volume.
The company believes that it will result in a 25% increase in energy density, which could add about 90 miles of range on a Model Y (via Reuters): If achieved, the improvement would lead to a 25% increase in battery capacity, thus boosting the driving range of Tesla’s most affordable sport-utility vehicle, the Model Y, by almost 90 miles (about 145 km), at current battery pack size, Panasonic said.
Panasonic states that the new battery technology will be available by the end of 2027. It didn’t discuss cost. Electrek’s Take I’m always wary of “battery breakthrough” announcements, as they rarely pan out to anything substantial, but if they can deliver a 25% increase in energy density at a reasonable cost with longevity, it could be a winner.
The problem is that new batteries generally fail in one of those aspects. I hope it’s not the case for this project because competition is good, and I’d like to see Panasonic put some pressure on the Chinese and Korean battery manufacturers. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
