Mazda Motor Company and Panasonic Power, after some 9 months of discussions aimed toward constructing a medium- to long-term partnership for the provision of cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries, have reached an settlement.

The 2 Japanese firms began talks in June 2023 and in the present day introduced an settlement for the provision of cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries. It basically implies that Mazda is on board with Panasonic’s cylindrical batteries.

Panasonic is on the lookout for prospects

Panasonic’s cylindrical batteries have been used principally in Tesla EVs. Lately, the corporate began to work on massive, high-capacity 4680-type cylindrical cells, which moreover Tesla would possibly discover some use additionally in Subaru and Mazda EVs.

Nonetheless, we do not know any particulars relating to this partnership but. The 2 firms solely stated that particulars might be communicated on the applicable time.

The dialogue course of between Panasonic and Mazda is similar to the one between Panasonic and Subaru, which additionally resulted in an settlement associated to the provision of cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries.

We guess that Mazda and Subaru are involved in Panasonic’s newest high-capacity cylindrical batteries—doubtlessly the 4680-type (a diameter of 46 mm and peak of 80 mm) or one thing comparable (46xx). Panasonic intends to launch the primary 4680-type batteries in April-September 2024. The corporate additionally affords smaller varieties (1865, 2170) and prismatic ones, however the prismatic cells aren’t even thought of as the important thing phrase is “cylindrical.”

There’s a risk that Panasonic’s preliminary 4680-type battery manufacturing in Japan might be for Mazda and Subaru. On the identical time, if the corporate produces the 4680-type within the U.S. for Tesla, the opposite manufacturers will even place orders as a result of they should safe native battery provide to qualify for incentives.