Panasonic said it is working on a new battery technology that could increase electric vehicle driving range by a quarter, with a market rollout planned for 2027. The development comes as range anxiety continues to be a key challenge for wider EV adoption.
The company is testing a system that eliminates the anode during the manufacturing process. “Charging the battery for the first time will produce a lithium metal anode,” Panasonic explained. This approach allows engineers to include more active cathode material, boosting energy density without increasing the cell’s volume.
In practical terms, the improvement would add about 90 miles (145 km) of range to a Tesla Model 3, extending its total to roughly 450 miles on a single charge, without adding weight or changing battery pack size.
Panasonic also aims to reduce production costs by cutting back on nickel use in the new cells. The company has not yet said whether the technology will translate into lower retail prices for Tesla and other automakers it supplies.
The battery maker expects the technology to be ready for commercialization by late 2027, positioning it as a potential step forward in both performance and efficiency for electric vehicles.
Source: Reuters