Tesla Motors and Panasonic Working Together on Battery Technology - 1/8/10

While Tesla Motors still won't say they will be putting Panasonic cells in the Model S battery packs, they have announced they are working with the Japanese mega-corp. In a new press release, the two companies divulged that they will "collaborate to develop next-generation battery cells for electric vehicles." Unlike many other companies with electric vehicles that will be powered by prismatic (flat, rectangular-shaped) cells, Tesla uses the 18650 format found in most laptops & since Panasonic also seems to have this preference, it seems natural for the two to develop a working relationship. The relationship is an open one since Tesla declares itself steadfastly supplier-agnostic and the company formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd also has many other customers.

Says JB Straubel, Tesla's Chief Technology Officer, of the fraternization, "Our collaboration with Panasonic will accelerate the development of next generation EV cells, enabling Tesla to further improve our battery pack performance," For its part, Panasonic sees the consociation as a validation of their nickel-based chemistry & its ongoing research & development investment in the energy storage area.

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