It was reported yesterday that Tesla could be inking an agreement with Samsung SDI to source batteries for the Model 3. Tesla has worked with Panasonic in the past for batteries and many expect it to continue to do so. There was no official confirmation of a partnership from either Tesla or Samsung, and now Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk has set the record straight. Musk has said that Tesla is not sourcing batteries from Samsung.
Samsung SDI is the Korean conglomerate’s battery-making arm. The report suggested that Tesla would source batteries from Samsung SDI for its cars and energy storage products like the Powerwall.
Musk says that’s not the case. He tweeted to clarify that Tesla is “working exclusively” with Panasonic for battery cells destined for the Model 3. “News articles claiming otherwise are incorrect,” he wrote.
Panasonic has remained Tesla’s battery cell supplier throughout the Model S and Model X programs, so there’s really no reason to see why Panasonic will be unceremoniously dumped without cause.
Rather, Musk’s clarification makes it seem that Tesla and Panasonic are now working closer than ever on batteries for the upcoming mass-market electric car.
The report had suggested that increased supply from Samsung SDI would help Tesla cover the unexpected demand for Model 3, but for now, it appears that Tesla believes it can make do with one major supplier.
Would like to clarify that Tesla is working exclusively with Panasonic for Model 3 cells. News articles claiming otherwise are incorrect.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 8, 2016