Report: Tesla considering battery format change in China

Tesla starts delivery of Chinese-made Model 3 sedans on December 30, 2019Tesla has made major investments into cylindrical battery cells, using 18650-format cells in the Model S and Model X, and 2170-format cells in the Model 3 and upcoming Model Y. The company also manufactures these cells at its Gigafactory with Panasonic. But now, perhaps combined with other key changes, the automaker appears ready to test a...

Researchers say energy-dense lithium-sulfur batteries may double EV range

Researchers at Monash UniversityResearchers in Australia say that advancements made in cathode durability could make lithium-sulfur batteries a reality for electric vehicles soon. The news was reported Friday by IEEE Spectrum following a paper published Monday by researchers at Monash University in Science Advances. In both, researches say lithium-sulfur's lower weight and...

Rivian electric trucks’ battery packs more energy into less space

Rivian electric car platformUntil the infrastructure can catch up—and well beyond then, if you’re talking about go-anywhere electric trucks like those from Rivian—big batteries will be a necessity for getting more people switching to EVs. Rivian has accepted that from the start with its R1T electric pickup and R1S electric SUV, with battery packs that start...

NHTSA asks Tesla about its battery management, over reports of fire

2019 Tesla Model SThe federal government wants to know more about Tesla’s batteries, its charging, its software upgrades, and incidents relating to reported fires—among many other details concerning the majority of Tesla Model S fastbacks and Model X SUVs ever built. In a letter, dated October 24, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes...