Tesla project tipped to make EVs affordable

Tesla might be close to the “holy grail” for EV adoption with suggestions it is working on a cheaper and more energy dense battery.

So says Electrek, adding sources have told it Tesla’s secret project ‘Roadrunner’ aims to mass produce a new battery cell which could meet the US$100 per kWh described as the price target for batteries to allow EVs to reach price parity with internal combustion engines (ICE).

It would enable high-volume production of relatively affordable and/or high-margin electric cars, Electrek reports, adding that adds it earlier shared an exclusive report about Tesla building a battery cell pilot production line in Fremont.

Tesla has a partnership with battery maker Panasonic but the California-based EV maker could make its own cells, especially after acquiring supercapacitor manufacturer Maxwell.

Maxwell’s dry electrode technology would enable Tesla to produce cheaper cells with higher-energy density, providing less batteries per vehicle and longer range.

Electrek says it’s learned Tesla chief executive Elon Musk wants one of the new battery packs with the new Tesla-made battery cells ready to install in a Model S or Model X for a Battery Investor Day in April.

More information is expected to be announced then, including the possibility of cell production in the US, Europe, and China.