Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s ambitious plan for its cylindrical 4680 battery has faced criticism from Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), a leading Chinese battery manufacturer. CATL’s founder and chairman, Robin Zeng, dismissed Tesla’s approach as “misguided” and claimed that Musk doesn’t understand how to make batteries.
The debate centers on the benefits of different battery chemistries, with CATL favoring lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology over Tesla’s nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) cathodes. Zeng highlighted CATL’s advancements in sodium-ion batteries and cost-effective mass production.
Musk’s tendency to set aggressive timelines has also drawn criticism from Zeng, who believes that some projects may require more time than promised. The tension between the two companies reflects broader dynamics at play in the electric vehicle market, where China is leading the charge in battery technology and manufacturing capacity.
Despite CATL’s criticisms, both companies have made significant progress in their respective areas. Tesla has achieved a major milestone with its 100 millionth 4680 cell production, while CATL continues to innovate and expand its product line. As the competition between these two industry giants intensifies, it will be interesting to see how they collaborate and compete in shaping the future of electric transportation.
Source: https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/catl-chief-takes-aim-at-elon-musks-battery-expertise-59061