Tesla taps Panasonic to create next-generation EV battery packs
By Darren Murph 
posted January 10th 2010 6:37AM
posted January 10th 2010 6:37AM
posted January 10th 2010 6:37AM
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Lol...
an exhaust pipe...
that's what she said
@F C: it looks like the intake for a blower to cool the electric motor to me.
@engadget: good luck to Tesla outselling anyone in the near future. They're selling in the hundreds while the big boys are selling on the hundreds of thousands.
@F C ---The "exhuast pipe" is for the porty for the bass driven speaker system. They are using a synthesized V-Twin grumble to make the vehicle sound intimidating. Otherwise, all it will sound like is a fast electric razor.
Or is it???
Rock n' Roll, long live the generation of California Car Companies. Detroit - you can suck it!
@Steveorevo
This is awesome, now Tesla cars are going to get even better mileage!! oh wait, the average American can't afford to waste $50,000 on a 2 door (semi) sports car. I don't know if California knows this but the majority of people in the US are NOT gay, we have families and need to drive more than 1 passenger around.
@Mentat
That would be true, if the model S was the tesla roadster. But considering that the Model S is a 4 door sedan that holds seven people....what are you taking about?
@Mentat http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster 0-60 in 3.7 seconds..... and uh, what exactly is YOUR definition of a sports car?
@Mentat @Mentat http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster 0-60 in 3.7 seconds..... and uh, what exactly is YOUR definition of a sports car?
@Brokinarrow sigh, engadget, seriously, will you EVER fix this comment system??
EV's need infastructure:
-wireless induction pads on the chasis or somewhere low to the ground
- then build wireless power transmission pads into all parking lots, drive thrus, busy intersections
- "charge in motion" build them into the highways and freeways/interstate roads
charge monthly subscriptions
The whole transportation industry needs to be re-imagined forget planes monorails in friction less tubes can go faster and use less energy!
Also don't forget to build them into garages and drive ways could be a good selling point for smart green houses.....
How many charge/discharge cycle before declaring the battery dead?
Ummm, I guess Tesla will have to delay production for 18 months or so for the exciting new batteries. Probably they will need to raise more venture capital, in the mean time, to finance more study and planning. Then, what, a delay for a revolutionary new motor technology? Then, brakes? New, light-weight alloy frame materials after that? Improved carbon fiber body panels after that? All, of course, necessitating more and more government grants and Hollywood stock offerings?
Tesla doesn't make vehicles; it is the vehicle. It's the new, trendy vehicle for looting gullible investors, especially that uber-chump, Uncle Sam.
Panasonic isn't exactly know for their low low prices, odd choice if you ask me.
@Wwhat
neither is Telsa
@Wwhat
Nor are they for quality IMHO. I have had more dead cells with panasonic then any other major manufacturer out there. Makes me doubt the thinking @ Tesla Motors. If it was A123 or GP it might get a "wow" from me.
I wonder if this means they will switch to the large format cells. Over all I see great potential in this new partnership. Let the EVs roll.
I thought Telsa's goal was to one day make enough money to break even and not have to rely on tax breaks to make it's vehicles remotely competitive.
@(Unverified)
Early last year they became profitable with their only production EV, the Tesla Roadster. Later, Tesla Motors was approved by the Department of Energy for a low interest loan under the ATVM program to develop their lower cost vehicle, the Model S (very different from a tax break or bailout). Besides Tesla Motors was not the only one nor the first one to be approved for ATVM funds, Nissan, Ford and Fisker are also among the other participants. I can only wonder whether you rather us continuing to subsidize the Oil industry instead?
@(Unverified)
They announced that they were profitable for the month of July last year, and that's it. Since they are not publicly traded they do not release an annual report that can be validated.
And yes, there's plenty of oil, we should be drilling for our own.
@(Unverified)
They announced that they were profitable for the month of July last year, and that's it. Since they are not publicly traded they do not release an annual report that can be validated.
And yes, there's plenty of oil, we should be drilling for our own.
@(Unverified)
Yes, which is why it is planning batteries for its mass-market vehicle coming out soon.
toyota and panasonic are actually partners in battery production, im pretty sure toyota owns a large stake in panasonics batter division
Awesome, Glad to see an American company like Tesla supporting other American manufacturers. :P
Johnson Controls is right here in the states. Not having to ship a battery half way around the world would go a long way towards truly reducing the carbon footprint of these cars.
But I suppose buying a car like a Tesla isn't about making a real difference, it's about looking like you care.
american manufacturers? they let lotus build their chassis over in europe for the tesla don't they?
@masterxace The difference being, there aren't any American manufacturers that are currently building a small chassis that would work for the tesla. Whereas when it comes to the battery Johnson Controls is very much in the business of building those.