Certain cells come from China (and other suppliers) of which Tesla is involved in the chemistry, but Tesla makes their own batteries in house, its their technology. Batteries are more than just the cells, its the finished product including the cells.
They also make their own cells for the Cybertruck, some models Ys and the Semi, some of which uses lithium the refined themselves.
The Chinese cells are LFP cells, and yes those will be assembled into batteries in the USA when they are in the USA.
But Tesla still has the most American made car in the USA, and doesnt even use the LFP batteries in American cars right now due to tarrifs. Theyre using cells made at the Nevada plant, the Austin plant, and cells from LG, Samsung and Panasonic likely from outside USA, so SK and Japan.
Certain cells come from China (and other suppliers) of which Tesla is involved in the chemistry, but Tesla makes their own batteries in house, its their technology. Batteries are more than just the cells, its the finished product including the cells.
They also make their own cells for the Cybertruck, some models Ys and the Semi, some of which uses lithium the refined themselves.
Tesla has no unique IP on batteries and they lag behind most companies, especially CATL.
Years ago Musk announced batteries with “30% greater capacity” which were just typical lithium cells wrapped 30% larger.
His “innovations” include trapping the battery within the frame such that when the battery dies, the car is junk. ThE gReEn rEvOlUtIoN.
Most Teslas sold in Canada are made in China, more green innovation.
“Assembled in USA” type of thing eh?
The Chinese cells are LFP cells, and yes those will be assembled into batteries in the USA when they are in the USA.
But Tesla still has the most American made car in the USA, and doesnt even use the LFP batteries in American cars right now due to tarrifs. Theyre using cells made at the Nevada plant, the Austin plant, and cells from LG, Samsung and Panasonic likely from outside USA, so SK and Japan.
https://www.cars.com/american-made-index/
Edit: and Nevada was, and still might be the largest cell producer in the USA
As if Teslas weren’t scary enough.