Model 3 battery cells and roof options revealed

Tesla Director of Battery Engineering Kurt Kelty mentioned recently a new and different larger size cylindrical cells optimized for EVs unlike ever before. During Elon's presentation of the Model 3 you can see a 3D Cad rendering of the M3 battery cells with 8 modules which look bigger and different than the Panasonic 18650 battery cells used on the S & X forming 14 modules.

Kelty went on affirming that Tesla will reduce cell costs by 30% by optimizing cell chemistry and mechanical design and using the new 8 modules form factor which designed specifically for electric vehicles. In addition:
- Energy consumption reduction: reducing the energy used to produce these batteries through improved and optimized material flow, raw material energy consumption per kWh reductions and heat compensation management.
- New cell format: reducing the amount of dead packaging materials required per kWh and the number of connections needed to build packs while simplifying the battery management system.
- Recycling: recovering the metals in cells.

Cost reductions will also come from bringing the supply chain closer, from vertical integration and by optimizing processes. Currently lithium ion batteries have shown a 5-8% improvement in performance annually. Tesla is expected to achieve a 5-8% annual reduction on an ongoing basis, which is consistent with the rest of the industry.

Meanwhile, during Model 3's test drive, Tesla VP Engineering Doug Field mentions during test drives that roof options will be available in metal, fixed glass or panoramic sunroof.