Panasonic Battery Platforms

18650 · 2170 · 4680 · Nevada · Kansas

Panasonic installed 44.2 GWh of EV batteries in 2025, 3.7% of the market, almost all as cylindrical cells. It is the cylindrical specialist, and its growth depends on whether Tesla, Lucid, Mazda and data centers buy what its new Kansas plant can make.

Panasonic cylindrical cells drawn to scale: the 18650 (18 by 65 mm) used in the Tesla Model S and X, the 2170 (21 by 70 mm) used in the Model 3, Model Y and Lucid cars, and the 4680 (46 by 80 mm) made at Wakayama. Plants: Gigafactory Nevada (2170 for Tesla since 2017), De Soto, Kansas (2170, opened July 2025), Wakayama, Japan (4680 line) and the Osaka region of Japan (18650 and 2170). PANASONIC CYLINDRICAL CELLS, DRAWN TO SCALE 1865018 x 65 mm 217021 x 70 mm 468046 x 80 mm Model S, XModel 3, Y; LucidTesla, Wakayama PLANTS Gigafactory Nevada 2170 for Tesla, since 2017 De Soto, Kansas 2170, opened July 2025 Wakayama, Japan 4680 line Osaka region, Japan 18650, 2170
2025 EV installs
44.2 GWh
Global share
3.7%
HQ
Osaka, Japan
Hub
OEMs

Finding

Panasonic's platform is the cylindrical cell, and its US plants make it Tesla's longest-running cell supplier and one of the few non-Chinese makers producing in America at scale

Panasonic Energy has built cells at Tesla's Gigafactory Nevada since 2017 and opened its De Soto, Kansas plant in July 2025, with a 32 GWh target when fully ramped. SNE Research counted 44.2 GWh of Panasonic EV batteries in 2025, 3.7% of the market.

Tesla remains the anchor customer, from 18650 cells in the Model S and X to 2170 cells for the Model 3 and Model Y. Lucid buys 2170 cells for the Air and Gravity, and Mazda and Subaru have signed for cylindrical cells later in the decade. The 4680 line at Wakayama has ramped slowly, and Panasonic slowed the Kansas ramp in 2025 as Tesla's US demand softened. Outside cars, Panasonic sells battery backup units for data center racks, a business growing with AI loads, and EverVolt home storage in the US.

Panasonic's US output earns the Section 45X production credit and gives automakers cells free of Chinese ownership, which matters under the prohibited-foreign-entity rules. In Europe it ships cells rather than producing, so EU passport and carbon-footprint duties pass to the automaker placing the battery on the market.

Deployments

Where Panasonic platforms are deployed

Named deployments are examples, not a complete customer list.

Panasonic deployments by class
Deployment classPanasonic platformNamed deploymentsCompliance touchpoints
Passenger EVs2170 and 18650 NCA; 4680Tesla Model 3, Y, S, X; Lucid Air and Gravity; Mazda and Subaru later in the decadeUS credit sourcing; EU passport via the automaker
Data center backupBattery backup unitsRack-level backup for hyperscale and AI data centersUL listings, fire code, transport
Home storageEverVoltUS residential systems sold through solar installersProduct safety, take-back
Light mobilityCylindrical cellsE-bikes and light electric vehiclesTransport, product safety

Products

Panasonic platform lineup

Panasonic battery platforms
PlatformChemistryFormatUse
18650NCA18 x 65 mm cylindricalTesla Model S and X; industrial
2170NCA, NCMA21 x 70 mm cylindrical; Nevada, KansasTesla Model 3 and Y; Lucid
4680NCA, NCMA46 x 80 mm cylindrical; WakayamaTesla and future customers
Battery backup unitsLithium-ionRack modulesData centers
EverVoltLithium-ionHome storage systemResidential

Compliance

Battery compliance by deployment class

As a cell supplier, Panasonic shares most duties with the automaker or integrator.

Battery compliance obligations
ObligationWhat triggers itWhereGuide
Battery passportEV, light-vehicle and industrial batteries above 2 kWh placed on the EU market from February 18, 2027EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542BatteryPassportGuide
Carbon footprint declarationEV batteries, followed by performance classes and recycled-content targetsEU Battery RegulationBatteryPassportGuide
Supply-chain due diligenceCobalt, lithium, nickel and natural graphite sourcing; obligations postponed to 2027EU Battery RegulationBatteryComplianceGuide
TransportUN 38.3 tests; UN 3480 and 3481 shipping for cells, modules, packs and containerized systemsGlobal (IMDG, IATA, ADR, 49 CFR)BatteryComplianceGuide
Stationary storage safetyUL 9540 and UL 9540A testing, NFPA 855 siting, IEC 62933; fire-code permitsUS, globalBESS-Guide
Producer responsibilityTake-back, collection and recycling financing for whoever first places the battery on the marketEU, several US states, ChinaBatteryComplianceGuide
US production creditSection 45X advanced-manufacturing credit for cells made in Nevada and Kansas; foreign-entity limits on inputsUSBatteryComplianceGuide

Sources

Sources and scope

Scope
Panasonic Battery Platforms
Sources
SNE Research via CnEVPost (February 2026); Panasonic Energy releases (De Soto opening, July 2025); Lucid, Mazda, Subaru supply announcements; EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542; IRS Section 45X
Updated
October 2026