LG Energy Solution is planning to begin production of 4680 batteries in South Korea in August at the earliest.
Company CEO Kim Dong-myung told reporters on the sidelines of the regular meeting of the Korea Battery Industry Association that the battery maker will start manufacturing the battery type between August and September.
LG Energy Solution first officially confirmed in January that it will begin 4680 battery production in the latter half of 2024.
4680 batteries are cylindrical batteries with diameters of 46mm and height of 80mm; much bigger than the 2170 currently conventionally used in electric vehicles.
LG Energy Solution will likely start 4680 battery production at its plant in Ochang; once its plant in Arizona is completed it will likely also produce them in the US.
The main customer for the battery type will be Tesla. However, Kim told reporters that it was also in talks with other customers for potential supply deals.
Meanwhile, the CEO also said lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries won’t start production this year but likely in the second half of 2025.
