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Panasonic is looking at building the factory, to cost several
billion dollars, in either Oklahoma or Kansas close to Texas,
where Tesla is preparing a new EV plant, NHK reported. NHK gave
no timeline for Panasonic's U.S. project.
NHK did not cite the source of its information. Panasonic said
the reported plan was not something it announced.
A long-time supplier for Tesla, Panasonic has said it plans to
begin mass-producing the new type of lithium-ion battery for
Tesla before the end of March 2024 with two new production lines
at its western Japanese plant in Wakayama.
The 4680 format (46 millimetres wide and 80 millimetres tall)
battery is about five times bigger than those currently supplied
to Tesla, meaning the U.S. car maker will be able to lower
production costs and improve vehicle range.
Panasonic's relationship with Tesla stretches back more than a
decade when Tesla signed an agreement that made the Japanese
company its key battery supplier.
Since then, Tesla has ramped up production and diversified its
supply chain to other firms, including Chinese manufacturers of
cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) powerpacks such as
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL).
South Korea LG Energy Solution Ltd also plans to make 4680
batteries, sources told Reuters last year.
Shares of Panasonic were down 3% in morning trade in Tokyo
compared with a 2.5% decline for the broader Nikkei 225 index.
(Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim and Tim Kelly; Editing by Leslie
Adler, Cynthia Osterman and Edwina Gibbs)
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