User:Kleung4/sandbox

Tesla had its first Battery Day event on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at 1:30 PM Pacific Time at Tesla INC in California. The delayed event had strict attendance restrictions because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A few shareholders attendees watched the announcements in parked Tesla cars, and responding with honks instead of applause. The event is to showcase the company's latest battery improvements. Elon Musk made a few major announcements that day, including plans for the company and announcing a new Plaid Powertrain for the Model S. Musk said that the S could get to speeds of 200 mph. He also plans to introduce a new cathode plant to streamline battery production, and new battery technology which Tesla will make a $25,000 USD car.

Battery Development

Tesla revealed their new plans for the "million mile" battery. The plan for that battery is to have it last an electric car's entire lifetime on the road. Tesla plan to manufacture a new 'tabless" batteries, which would help significantly improve a vehicles range and power. The new battery will be produced in house, which would help reduce the cost of electric cars, making it more competitive to gasoline-powered cars. It will be expected that the battery pack will be lower Tesla's cost per kilowatt hour. The tabless cells or 4680 cells, will be six times more powerful than existing batteries, and increasing range by 16 percent. Production has already begun at a pilot plant. Tesla aims to be able to produce 3 terawatt hours energy every year by 2030. Tesla has also recently acquired a 10,000 acre-mining site in Nevada, to help speed up lithium battery production, and their vision of improving manufacturing process.

Cathode Plant

Tesla plans to build a new cathode plant, and also eliminate the need of cobalt in uses cathode. Musk wants to eliminate the need of cobalt completely, as its often mined under conditions that violate human rights. There is no exact date when this will be finalized. Its part of Tesla's long term goal to reduce supply chain costs, making cathode cheaper, and also produce zero water waste.

Plaid Powerplant

The highly anticipated and long-awaited $140,000 Plaid powerplant was finally released. Musk introduced the Plaid by showing a video of the Model S Plaid prototype lapping Laguna Seca in 1:36. Since that video was filmed, Musk said that it has slashed that time down to 1:30.3. He said he expects another 3 seconds to be taken off the overall lap time, and breaking the recording for the fastest production vehicle. The vehicle will boast 1,100 Horsepower, and a sub two second 0-60MPH, top speed of 200MPH, and ability to travel 520 miles or more between charges. Tesla expects the first cars will be available in 2021.

$25,000 Car

Tesla plans to reduce the cost of battery cells and packs, and with all the battery improvements and change, it would help manufacture and sell a car for $25,000. Musk said that "About three years from now, we're confident we can make a very compelling $25,000 electric vehicle that's also fully autonomous." Tesla will hit this goal using their newly introduced "tabless" battery cells, which would help allow Tesla to halve the price per kilowatt. Musk has often spoke about his will to bring down the cost of electric vehicles, to help decrease the world's carbon output. The new $25,000 car has yet to be given an official name.