Panasonic unveils prototype EV battery for Tesla | Automotive News

[rcjordan]

"also said Panasonic had no plans to make cheaper Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) EV batteries"

https://www.autonews.com/suppliers/panasonic-unveils-prototype-ev-battery-tesla

[ergophobe]

That makes absolute sense. While I'm a big fan of LFP for use in the home, I don't think they're a great choice for EVs because of the energy density problem.

Also, lots of manufacturers targeting the home market are switching to LFP, where Panasonic doesn't have a presence, experience or any technological edge. So why leave a market where you have leading tech to enter a market with more competition and you have no edge? As much as I like LFPs, if I were a Panasonic stock holder I'd be glad for this decision.

>>five times the storage capacity of current ones

I *think* this is misleading. I think it has 5X the storage capacity because it's a new form factor that is bigger. They seem to be saying the win is in production costs, not some breakthrough in energy density. Still, that's awesome news.

>>deepening business ties with Tesla

Somewhat OT, Hertz announced that it has ordered 100,000 Tesla's and by the end of next year, 20% of its fleet will be Tesla. A key reason given was that Tesla has managed its supply chain better than others and is better able to deliver.

[rcjordan]

>Hertz

It gets weird...

Uber will offer up to 50,000 Teslas to its drivers through Hertz deal
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/27/uber-will-offer-up-to-50000-teslas-to-its-drivers-through-hertz-deal.html