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Foreign media reported that Tesla is in advanced negotiations with Ningde Times to use cobalt-free batteries, or lithium iron phosphate batteries, in Model 3 electric cars produced at the Shanghai factory. The negotiations are said to be in the final stages.

If the news is true, it means that Tesla uses lithium iron phosphate batteries on his products for the first time. In response, Tesla replied to media reports that the cooperation agreement with Ningde era is true, and the lithium iron phosphate battery produced in Ningde era itself does not contain cobalt, but whether the cooperation will eventually fall to the ground has not been commented.

As early as early February, Ningde Times has issued a notice confirming the signing of the agreement with Tesla. Ningde Times said that according to the agreement signed by the two sides, the company will supply lithium-ion power battery products to Tesla, and the company and Tesla agreed on the product supply mode and product standards during the business cooperation. Tesla will determine the specific procurement situation in the form of orders according to his own needs, and the agreement does not impose restrictions on Tesla's purchase quantity. The final sales amount shall be subject to the actual settlement of the purchase order issued by Tesla.

In addition, the supply starts in July this year, and the agreement is valid from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022.

Compared with nickel-cobalt-aluminum battery or nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, lithium iron phosphate battery has better safety, lower loss, excellent service life and price advantage, but its energy density is not as good as the former. It is understood that in order to improve the density and safety of lithium iron phosphate batteries, Ningde era has been studying the so-called battery packaging technology, which effectively increases the volume utilization efficiency of the battery package and greatly reduces the assembly cost.

If Tesla confirms the use of lithium iron phosphate batteries provided by Ningde era, it is expected to further reduce production costs and become more competitive in terms of final car prices. At present, the domestic production rate of components for Model 3 models made in Shanghai Super Factory is about 30%, and the company plans to increase it to 70% to 80% by July.

It is less than two months after the delivery of the domestic Model 3. The standard upgrade version (made in China) costs 299050 yuan, with a range of 445km / h, a top speed of 225km / h, a 100km acceleration time of 5.6s and a basic driving assist function. In addition, Tesla also declared a new domestic Model 3 model, or a long-range rear-wheel drive version, which is estimated to have 664km NEDC mileage.

In January, Tesla Shanghai Super Factory produced 2625 Model 3 models. Tesla said that the current weekly production of Model 3 cars in Shanghai can reach 3000.

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