Tesla's Revolutionary 4680 Battery: The Risky Process of Fixing Tesla's 4680 Cell

Tesla’s 4680 battery technology has been generating a lot of buzz lately, with many eager to see if the new structural battery pack will live up to the hype. While Tesla has been ramping up production of the larger cells, questions have arisen about the serviceability of the battery pack in case of a malfunction. A recent podcast featuring Sandy Munro, an automotive expert who has previously disassembled a 4680 battery pack, sheds some light on the matter.

According to Munro, the secret to opening up the battery pack is to use a dry ice blaster to remove the putty that seals all the connectors in place. However, this technique comes with some risks, as some of the connectors that are linked to the individual cells might break during the process. Additionally, the top plate that seals the whole pack from the elements is notoriously difficult to remove.

While this might sound discouraging, Munro also notes that the failure rate of the cells themselves is relatively low at the factory, and the failure rate of complete packs is even lower. This should provide some reassurance to owners of vehicles fitted with the structural battery, as it suggests that the likelihood of a failure occurring is relatively low.

However, Munro also notes that repairing a failed battery pack is not an easy task. After the initial Munro Live teardown, it was concluded that the whole pack would become a reclamation project for recyclers if it were to fail. While it seems that there are some ways of putting it back into use, it is not a straightforward process.

This raises an important question about the future of electric vehicle batteries – are they becoming too complex to repair? With traditional cars, if something goes wrong with the engine or transmission, it can usually be fixed or replaced relatively easily. However, as electric vehicles become more advanced, their battery packs become increasingly complex, making repairs more difficult and potentially more expensive.

This is not unique to Tesla – other electric vehicle manufacturers also face similar challenges. For example, the Audi e-tron, which uses a complex liquid-cooled battery pack, has been criticized for its lack of serviceability. Similarly, the Chevrolet Bolt, which has been recalled twice due to battery-related fires, has faced criticism for its repairability.

As electric vehicles become more prevalent, it is essential to ensure that they are not only reliable but also serviceable. Consumers need to have confidence that if something goes wrong, their vehicle can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time and at a reasonable cost. This is especially important for fleets and commercial vehicles, where downtime can have a significant impact on operations.

While Tesla’s 4680 battery technology shows a lot of promise, questions about its serviceability remain. As electric vehicles become more advanced, it is important for manufacturers to ensure that their batteries are not only reliable but also serviceable. This will be crucial to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Serviceability of EV Batteries

Another implication of the serviceability issue with electric vehicle batteries is the potential impact on the second-hand market. As electric vehicles become more common, the second-hand market for them is likely to grow. However, if battery packs are not easily serviceable, it could make it more difficult and expensive to repair them, lowering their resale value.

This could be a concern for both consumers and manufacturers. Consumers who buy electric vehicles with the expectation of being able to resell them in the future may be hesitant to do so if the battery pack is difficult or expensive to repair. Similarly, manufacturers may face challenges in selling new electric vehicles if the second-hand market is less attractive due to concerns about battery pack serviceability.

On the other hand, the serviceability issue could also provide an opportunity for new businesses to emerge, specializing in battery pack repair and maintenance. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, there could be a growing demand for these types of services, providing new opportunities for entrepreneurs and creating jobs.

The serviceability of electric vehicle batteries is an important issue that needs to be addressed by manufacturers. While electric vehicles offer many benefits, including reduced emissions and lower operating costs, consumers need to have confidence that their vehicles can be serviced and repaired in a reasonable and cost-effective manner. Addressing this issue will be crucial to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and the transition to a more sustainable future.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.