Tesla plans to begin constructing battery packs for the upcoming Cybertruck on a brand new cell manufacturing line within the Fremont manufacturing unit, individuals with data of the venture advised Teslarati.
In August, we reported that Tesla had filed to construct a brand new battery manufacturing tools line on the second flooring of the Fremont manufacturing unit. This submitting, which was submitted to the Metropolis of Fremont on August 30, pertains to the module portion of the road, Tesla stated.
Tesla described the venture as “CTA Battery B-Construct,” the submitting exhibits.
Tesla is finally planning to construct the Cybertruck in Austin at Gigafactory Texas. Nevertheless, battery cells and cell pack manufacturing should not but able to take off on the new Tesla plant, which is situated simply exterior Austin. Tesla utilized to construct a battery and cathode manufacturing constructing at Gigafactory Texas earlier this 12 months, and whereas the venture has been began, it probably won’t be prepared for the Cybertruck’s projected launch in mid-2023.
With an intensive order log that options over 1 million complete reservations, Tesla is making ready for Cybertruck manufacturing by constructing the battery packs at a plant that’s already operational. The Fremont facility, the one Tesla plant manufacturing all 4 autos the corporate builds, was finally chosen for the duty of kicking off Cybertruck pack manufacturing, Teslarati confirmed with sources accustomed to the matter.
Cybertruck Battery Pack Manufacturing will begin in Fremont
Sources accustomed to the matter advised Teslarati the second-floor manufacturing line that Tesla filed to construct in August will manufacture the Cybertruck packs. Tesla will take the 4680 battery cells produced on the Kato Highway facility or one other beforehand utilized cell design manufactured at Gigafactory Nevada and put them into modules and packs which are manufactured on the brand new Fremont battery line.
Presently, the road is being accomplished by building crews on web site, who’re making every day progress. Moreover, Tesla engineers are putting in automation tools to provide the Cybertruck battery packs.
Tesla didn’t instantly reply to our request for remark.
Kicking Cybertruck Module Manufacturing into “Plaid Mode”
Tesla can also be working arduous to kick off Cybertruck pack manufacturing as time is extraordinarily restricted. Tesla has a collection of autos, known as “carriers,” which transport batteries all through the manufacturing unit. The corporate just lately ordered round 300 new carriers for the manufacturing unit as cell and battery pack manufacturing is ready to ramp drastically.
The sources additionally stated the Cybertruck battery pack line is presently being examined with Tesla’s automation tools. Tesla is working to ramp the road rapidly as Cybertruck automobile manufacturing is deliberate for subsequent 12 months at Gigafactory Texas.
2023: The 12 months of the Tesla Cybertruck?
Tesla is ready to construct the Cybertruck at Gigafactory Texas. After unveiling the all-electric pickup in 2019, Tesla has delayed preliminary manufacturing on a number of events attributable to provide chain points and different challenges.
“In 2022, provide chain will proceed to be the elemental limiter of output throughout all factories,” Musk stated throughout Tesla’s This fall and 2021 Full 12 months Earnings Name in January. So the chip scarcity, whereas higher than final 12 months, remains to be a difficulty. And, yeah, in order that’s — there are a number of provide chain challenges.”
Musk went on to say that the challenges would delay the launch of any new merchandise in 2022. “We are going to, nevertheless, do lots of engineering and tooling, what to not create these autos: Cybertruck, Semi, Roadster, Optimus, and be able to carry these to manufacturing hopefully subsequent 12 months. That’s almost definitely.”
Though Tesla is planning to start deliveries of the Semi on December 1, all different initiatives have been successfully delayed till subsequent 12 months, however preparation to launch these initiatives is evidently a precedence throughout the factories.
4680 cells should not constrained however are they going into the Cybertruck?
Tesla’s Vice President of Powertrain Drew Baglino detailed earlier this 12 months that the corporate was not constrained when it comes to 4680 battery cell availability.
“So all through 2021, we targeted on rising cell provide alongside our in-house 4680 effort to offer us flexibility and insurance coverage as we try and develop as quick as doable,” Baglino stated on the This fall and Full 12 months 2021 Earnings Name in January. “4680 cells should not a constraint to our 2022 quantity plans primarily based on the data now we have.”
What Baglino stated subsequent on the decision probably signifies what Tesla was making ready the Cybertruck for: pack manufacturing at Fremont, transport the packs to Texas, after which putting in them into autos:
“However we’re making significant progress of the ramp curve in Kato. We’re constructing 4680 structural packs day-after-day, that are being assembled into autos in Texas. I used to be driving one yesterday and the day earlier than. And we imagine our first 4680 autos shall be delivered this quarter.”
The Kato Highway facility has supported Tesla’s 4680 cell wants to this point. The 4680 packs had been put in on some Gigafactory Texas-built Mannequin Ys, and had been reviewed by Munro Reside earlier this 12 months. Fremont will probably assist Cybertruck pack manufacturing for a while, using cells from Kato Highway and from suppliers like Panasonic after they finally being manufacturing the battery for Tesla.
As Cybertruck manufacturing ramps up into late 2023, 2024, and past, packs will then be at Fremont and Gigafactory Texas, which might probably totally assist Cybertruck manufacturing.
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