In Brief Production on the batteries for Tesla's Model 3 has begun at the company's Gigafactory in Nevada. The first Model 3s are expected to be delivered in 2017, and once production scales, the batteries will be incorporated into Tesla's other models.

Tesla just took a major step forward withtheir Model 3by starting production onthe electric vehicles battery cell at Gigafactory 1 in Nevada over the weekend. According to Electrek, Tesla cofounder JB Straubel said during a presentation at the Midwest Renewable Energy Associations 28th Annual Energy Fairthat the battery was in production right now.

Teslas 2170 batteries for vehicles are made using Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA), as opposed to the 2170 battery cells that power the companys stationary energy storage products, which utilizeNickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC).

Musk has called the batteriesthe best cell in the world that is also the cheapest cell and says they have the best energy density in the world. While they will initially only be used in the Model 3, which isdue to go into production next month, Tesla plans to eventually scale up to integrate them into the Model S and Model X, which are already in production.

This is exiting news for both the electric andautonomous vehicle industriesas the batteries are pivotal to achieving the Model 3s $35,000 price tag. As price decreases, general adoption increases, which will result in safer roads for drivers and pedestrians alike. Coupled with the environmentally friendly nature of the cars, Teslas Model 3 is looking like a serious game-changer.

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A Major Component of Tesla's New Affordable Electric Vehicle Just Went Into Production - Futurism