Tesla Model S 18650 Cell

Model s modules are comprised of 3400mah cells arranged in a 74p6s configuration.

Tesla model s 18650 cell.

Instead of the smaller 18650 cells used in model s and model x the new 21700 li ion cell is used in the model 3. They will also be found in the model 3 later this year but for now the 18650 cell is the only one used by tesla in its vehicles. 18650 battery these batteries are used in the tesla models x and model s. These are currently the best battery on the market for energy density allowing many classic conversions to get well over 200 miles per charge.

The 21700 figure 1 has a diameter of 21mm and length of 70mm this type number says nothing about performance or chemistry by the way. They are rated at 500 amps 750 amps peak. A colleague alerted me recently to an outstanding teardown activity that an owner of a model s is performing on his battery pack. This cell is a lithium ion rechargeable battery with a capacity of 2200 to 3600 mah.

Tesla s liquid cooled module features 444 18650 cells per module. Pbs the most popular battery pack supplied by tesla contains 7 104 18650 cells in 16 444 cell modules capable of storing up to 85 kwh of energy. Cell format is standard 18650. Tesla calls it their 21 70 battery.

Central rod inside the jelly roll deforms at higher temperature causing battery cell to collapse downwards in case of thermal runaway. Tesla could certainly use more 2170 cell production capacity for model 3 and model y but the bigger issue is that if panasonic switches its existing 18650 lines to it model s and model x won t. Panasonic s 18650 battery cells used in the tesla model s and x image. It is 65mm long with an 18mm diameter and it weighs between 45 to 48g.

The battery pack in a tesla s is a very sophisticated assembly of several thousands of small individual 18650 cells connected electrically in a series and parallel combination. These used 18650 tesla battery modules from a 85kwh model s. Tesla model s panasonic lithium ion battery cell. This battery cell is smaller and lighter than the 21700 form factor.

This offers a great peek into how tesla designed this battery pack. From its learnings with 18650 tesla developed the 2170 cell as the new base unit for the tesla model 3 powerwall 2 and powerpack 2 products.