Samsung SDI's trial production of a new cylindrical battery is comparable to that of Tesla 4680.

According to foreign media reports, Samsung SDI has begun trial production of a new generation of automotive cylindrical batteries, and once the product specifications are finalized, the company is expected to produce the batteries in overseas factories. Samsung SDI hopes to attract new customers by increasing the energy density and capacity of cylindrical batteries and large square batteries.

Samsung SDI recently completed the trial production of a new generation of cylindrical battery products at the Cheonan (Cheonan) factory in South Korea, and is currently producing prototype batteries. Samsung SDI's new battery is similar to the "4680 cylindrical battery" announced by Tesla from 2023. The size of the battery is 80mm in height and 40mm in diameter. However, the final specification of the product has not yet been finalized, but it has entered the final confirmation stage.

Samsung SDI's current cylindrical battery is a 21700 battery with a height of 70 mm and a diameter of 21 mm. Compared with the 21700 battery, the new cylindrical battery not only reduces the number of cells used, but also increases the energy density, and the battery capacity will also be increased. By increasing the capacity of the new cylindrical battery, the company can increase the energy density of the battery and reduce the production cost. At present, Samsung SDI is carrying out the final standardization of thermal management optimization and energy efficiency optimization according to the series / parallel mode of cylindrical batteries.

Samsung SDI said: "although the battery capacity increase plan for existing cylindrical products is under way, details such as specific specifications have not yet been determined." Once the development of the new battery is completed, Samsung SDI will mass produce in factories in Malaysia and Hungary.

Samsung SDI also plans to supply the cylindrical battery to Tesla and Lucid. The research and development and mass production of Tesla 4680 battery will be delayed, while Samsung SDI cylindrical battery will become the only mass production product in the world most similar to Tesla 4680.

Last February, Lucid signed a cylindrical battery supply contract with Samsung SDI. Samsung SDI currently supplies 21700 batteries to Lucid, but as the supply increases, new cylindrical batteries are likely to be supplied in the future. As the capacity of the new battery is significantly higher than that of the 21700 battery, this battery has a great advantage and competitiveness in terms of price.

People in the battery industry pointed out, "after Samsung SDI has completed the development of the new cylindrical battery, it seems that it intends to supply this battery to Tesla." The company is developing and selling products at the same time, so the company will identify full-vehicle customers in the near future. "