Robin Zeng, the founder and chairman of CATL, has voiced strong criticisms of Elon Musk regarding his understanding of battery technology. Zeng, whose company is the world’s largest battery manufacturer, has had heated debates with Musk over different approaches to the development of electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

While Tesla has focused on developing its 4680 battery to power models such as the Cybertruck and Model Y, CATL takes a different stance. The company argues that relying on cylindrical batteries is a misguided approach for the future of EV technology.

Tesla’s 4680 Battery vs. CATL’s Approach

Tesla’s 4680 battery is named for its dimensions: 46 mm in diameter and 80 mm in height. Tesla claims that this larger battery offers several advantages, including a fivefold increase in energy density, six times more power, and an 16% increase in range. Musk also markets the 4680 as having higher energy density and lower manufacturing costs compared to Tesla’s older 2170 and 1865 batteries.

However, in an April 2023 meeting in Beijing, Zeng told Musk that his investment in the 4680 battery technology was unlikely to succeed. “We had a big debate, and I showed him,” Zeng told Reuters. “He was silent. He doesn’t know how to make batteries. It’s about electrochemistry. He’s good at chips, software, hardware, and mechanics, but not batteries.”

Overpromising and Unmet Deadlines

Zeng also took issue with Musk’s tendency to overpromise and set unrealistic timelines for new technologies. “His problem is overpromising,” Zeng said, referring to Musk’s habit of announcing ambitious goals that often fall short of their deadlines. Zeng elaborated, saying, “It could take five years, but he said two years. I asked him why, and he said he wanted to push people.”

Musk has made a number of bold promises over the years, including the delivery of fully autonomous versions of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y by next year in Texas and California, as well as the launch of a robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals by 2026. Yet, these promises have often failed to materialize, leaving many investors skeptical after hearing similar declarations for nearly a decade.

CATL’s Role in Tesla’s Supply Chain

Despite their differences, CATL remains an important partner for Tesla. The company is a major supplier of batteries to Tesla’s Shanghai factory, where Model 3 and Model Y vehicles are produced for the local market and select international markets.

While Tesla has committed to using its own 4680 lithium-ion batteries, which incorporate a nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) cathode and cylindrical cells, CATL specializes in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Unlike Tesla’s cylindrical batteries, CATL’s batteries use rectangular cells and have a different chemistry and energy density.

A Clash of Philosophies

This difference in battery technology reflects broader philosophical differences between Musk and Zeng. Musk is known for his aggressive innovation strategy, aiming to push the boundaries of what is possible in a short amount of time. Zeng, on the other hand, emphasizes a more measured, scientific approach to battery development, focusing on reliability and long-term sustainability rather than rapid, high-risk innovation.

While both Tesla and CATL are giants in the electric vehicle industry, their contrasting views on battery technology illustrate the ongoing debate within the sector about the best path forward for the future of EVs. As the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, it remains to be seen which company’s approach will ultimately prove more successful in powering the next generation of electric cars.

In the meantime, Tesla’s reliance on CATL for battery supply highlights the delicate balance between innovation and practicality in the fast-evolving electric vehicle market. Whether Tesla’s 4680 battery technology will prove successful in the long run or whether CATL’s LFP technology will take the lead remains a topic of debate in the industry.