Panasonic Begins Production of 4680 EV Batteries

Panasonic Energy has completed preparations to mass-produce its 4680 electric vehicle batteries at a newly renovated plant in Wakayama, Japan, aiming to begin production soon after receiving approval from existing automaker clients. The 4680 cells, which boast five times the capacity of the smaller 2170 batteries, are expected to enhance EV driving range and reduce the number of cells needed per battery pack. The facility will employ around 400 staff by March 2025 and will serve as a testing site for processes to be implemented at other global battery factories. Panasonic aims to start production in the first half of the current business year, which began in April. The company has already sent samples of the new batteries to several automakers, anticipating their green light to commence mass production.