The start of production of the 2020 Tesla Model Y next year will result in a battery cell shortage, according to reports from the Gigafactory 1 factory. Panasonic’s CEO, Kazuhiro Tsuga, wants to discuss the topic with Tesla. For the production of the Model Y, Tesla has yet to declare which factory it will use. Also, Tesla has not confirmed any battery supplier for the production of the Model 3.
Is Tesla relying on a new investment from Panasonic?
Tesla Model Y and Model 3 Battery Shortage
Automakers planning mass production of electric vehicles are always concerned about a supply shortage of battery cells. Over the last few years, because of the strong partnership between Tesla and Panasonic in expanding production of Gigafactory 2, the EV carmaker never had to worry about battery cell supply shortage.
Lately, Tesla declared that it is still deciding between its Fremont factory in California and Gigafactory 1 in Nevada for the production of Model Y, which is scheduled to kick off in fall of 2020. However, Gigafactory 1 is saying that the start of Model Y production next year will result in a battery cell shortage at the factory. Panasonic’s CEO Kazuhiro Tsuga said :
Also, Tesla has not yet confirmed any battery supplier for the production of the Model 3 which is supposed to start later this year, at the new Gigafactory 3 factory in Shanghai.
Should we worry about Tesla facing a battery cell shortage in the near future? Well, I don't think so. Hopefully, Tesla is already negotiating with Panasonic for a new investment to significantly expand the production at Gigafactory 1. It is time for Tesla to make this battery supply issue clearer to all of us.
Further Reading
Read our full review on the 2020 Tesla Model Y.
Read our full review on the 2018 Tesla Model 3.