Tesla Plans Battery Manufacturing Facility Under Project ‘Roadrunner’
In this article (5)
Tesla Inc plans to build a battery research and manufacturing facility in Fremont, California, to be operated around the clock, under a project dubbed Roadrunner, documents from the city government showed.
The plan signals the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker’s efforts to make its own automotive batteries, EVs’ most expensive components.
Tesla, which said it currently has a “small-scale” battery manufacturing operation in Fremont, applied for city government approval to build an expanded battery operation. It estimated construction of the project, including the installation of all manufacturing equipment, can be completed in around 3 months.
Tesla’s stock jumped above $1,000 a share for the first time on Wednesday after Chief Executive Elon Musk told his staff it was time to bring the Tesla Semi commercial truck to “volume production.” Conway G.
Workers assigned to the facility would total 470, of which 400 would “work in shifts, such that there are 100 employees working at manufacturing and production operations at any given time, all day, every day.”
Tesla did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Chief Executive Elon Musk earlier this week said it will give a tour of Tesla’s battery cell production on Sept. 15, the tentative date for what the automaker has dubbed Battery Day.
Tesla currently produces batteries with Japan’s Panasonic Corp at the so-called Gigafactory near Reno, Nevada. It also has battery contracts with South Korea’s LG Chem Ltd and China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the purpose of Tesla's Project Roadrunner?
What is the purpose of Tesla's Project Roadrunner?
Project Roadrunner is Tesla's plan to build an expanded battery research and manufacturing facility in Fremont, California. This move signals their effort to make their own automotive batteries, which are the most expensive components of electric vehicles.
Q.How many employees will work at the new battery facility?
How many employees will work at the new battery facility?
The facility would total 470 workers. Of these, 400 would work in shifts, ensuring 100 employees are engaged in manufacturing and production operations at any given time, all day, every day.
Q.How quickly does Tesla expect to complete the construction of the project?
How quickly does Tesla expect to complete the construction of the project?
Tesla has estimated that the construction of Project Roadrunner, including the installation of all necessary manufacturing equipment, can be completed in approximately three months once approved.
Q.Which companies currently supply Tesla with batteries?
Which companies currently supply Tesla with batteries?
Tesla currently produces batteries with Japan's Panasonic Corp at their Gigafactory near Reno, Nevada. They also have additional battery contracts with South Korea’s LG Chem Ltd and China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd.
Reader pulse
What's the key takeaway from Project Roadrunner?
15,735 votes so far