In recent years, the batteries for electric vehicles have undergone a radical transformation, going to guarantee autonomies equal to or higher than those of petrol cars. However, the industry is following different paths for the future of electricity. Among the leaders of this sector stand out Tesla and Bydtwo companies with different approaches in the design of batteries.
Tesla focuses on cylindrical cells with high energy density, such as the 4680to maximize power and autonomy. Byd, on the other hand, adopts a different strategy with the Blade Batterya prismatic cell LFP (lithium iron phosphate) which favors security, duration and economic convenience. Both represent cutting -edge solutions, but what are the real differences? A team of researchers dismantled and analyzed these batteries to find out.
An in -depth analysis on Tesla and Byd batteries to reveal its secrets
The car manufacturers are very confidential about the technical details of their batteries, being a highly competitive sector. For this reason, the research team has had to physically disassemble batteries to analyze their components.
“The availability of in -depth data on the latest generation batteries for the automotive sector is very limited,” he said Jonas Gorschresearcher at the Production Engineering Department for the electric mobility of theRWTH University of Aquisgrana, Germanyand the main author of the study.
Scholars examined the two batteries in various respects: Mechanical structure, materials and electrical performanceevaluating parameters such as energy density, thermal efficiency, internal resistance and production processes. To do this, they made use of advanced technologies such as scan electronic microscopy (Seem), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the resistance measurements in continuous current.
The differences between the two batteries already emerge from the size. There Tesla 4680 cell has one cylindrical shapewith 46 mm in diameter and 80 mm in lengthwhile the Blade by Byd It is a long and thin prismatic cell, with 90 mm in height, 965 mm in length and just 14 mm thick. These formats highlight two very different design philosophies.
From the point of view of the Energy storage capacitythe Tesla 4680 battery is higher, with an energy density of 241 WH/Kg and 643 WH/Lcompared to 160 WH/Kg and 355 WH/L of Blade di Byd. This translates into batteries lighter and compact for the same amount of energy accumulated.
Thermal efficiency, costs and durability: the differences between the two technologies
Although the greater energy density of the Tesla battery represents an advantage, it also involves a higher cost. The nickel full of nickel of the 4680 is more expensive Compared to the cathode LFP of the Blade, which uses materials less expensive and more abundantlike iron and phosphate.
Another crucial aspect concerns safety and thermal management. The cells LFP by Byd offer one greater thermal stabilityresulting less subject to overheating and thermal runaway (the thermal escape phenomenon that can lead to the battery fire). This feature makes the LFP increasingly popular in electric vehicles intended for the mass market.
The differences constructive They also affect production processes. Tesla uses a configuration a “Jelly Roll”in which the layers of the electrodes are wrapped inside the cylinder, while Byd adopts a structure A Z-Foldwhich guarantees greater mechanical stability.
An unexpected detail that emerged from the analysis is the absence of silicon in the anodes of both batteriesan element often considered fundamental to increase energy density. “He surprised us not to find traces of silicon, especially in the Tesla battery, since the research indicates it as a key material for the future,” said Gorsch.
Which battery is most suitable for the future of electric cars?
In addition to energy density, the cost also affects the spread of electric cars. The research calculated that the Tesla 4680 has a production cost higher than 10 $/kWh Compared to Byd’s Blade, due to the use of nickel and cobalt, materials with an unstable price.
Thermal efficiency also differs: the Tesla 4680 has greater internal resistanceresulting increase of heat generated, especially during quick charging. This could represent a problem for the long -term durability and for the Fast charging performance.
There Blade by Bydthanks to chemistry LFPproduces less heat and it is more resistant to overheatingresulting safer. Furthermore, its prismatic form simplifies thermal managementa factor that has contributed to his reliable and safe battery fame.
There is no better battery in an absolute sense, but one more suitable for certain needs. Luxury and high -performance cars could prefer Tesla 4680thanks to its high energy density. Vice versa, cars intended for the mass market and commercial vehicles they could benefit from the major Duration and safety of the Blade by Byd. This competition between two opposite visions could profoundly influence the future of the electric vehicle industry. The study was published on Cell Reports Physical Science.
