Cylindrical Cell Comparison 4680 vs 21700 vs 18650

In this Article, we will compare different Cylindrical Cell Sizes used in electric Vehicles. 4680 vs 21700 vs 18650. if you are interested to learn about Cells, different Cell Formats, Cell Manufacturers, Battery Cell Manufacturing process please click the links.

The Table is live and I will edit along with Nigel as we get more data and information on the particular cell Size. If you want to read in detailed analysis for various Vehicle model please go to Benchmarking section.

Tesla particularly uses Cylindrical cells in their Electric Vehicles. As per recent announcement Tesla is moving to 4680 from 21700 and the older 18650. Tesla various vehicle Models: Model S, Model Y, Model 3, Model X, Roadster. Read about Tesla 4680 cell design.

Rivian and Lucid Motors are also using cylindrical cells 21700 in their vehicle models (R1T, R1S and AIR Dream, Air GT respectively). BMW along with CATL and EVE energy have announced that its NEUE KLASSE type models will use the 46mm diameter geometry cylindrical cells too. The contract awarded are in the double digit billions euro range.

Thus, in this article we thought to compare the various cell sizes and see the different specification for 4680 vs 21700 vs 18650.

Graphical Comparison of 4680 vs 21700 vs 18650

we will compare different Cylindrical Cell Sizes used in electric Vehicles. 4680 vs 21700 vs 18650.

Comparison Table by Specification

Specification46802170018650comments
Diameter (mm)462118
Height (mm)807065
Volume (mm3)1328852423316532
Surface Area (mm2)1488553114185
Bottom Area (mm2)1662346254
Side Area (mm2)1156146183676
Total Area to Volume Ratio %11.2%21.9%25.3%
Side Area to Volume Ratio %8.7%19.05%22.22%
Base Area to Volume Ratio %1.25%1.43%1.54%
Volumetric Space
as compared to 18650
704%47%0%
Capacity max (mAh) Max2500056003500
Nominal Energy (Wh)98 to 118
Net weight (Max) grams3557050
Cell Energy Density max (Wh/Kg)276 to 333276 to 300250
Cell to Pack ratio (Tesla)66%66%
Pack Energy Density Max (Wh/Kg)182 to 220182 to 198
Nominal Voltage (Li Ion)3.73.73.7
Max Continuous Discharge A??4550
Cycle Life1000-20001500-4000
Cathode Thickness (microns)8560 to 70
Number of Windings
(assuming same thickness
cathode anode, separator.
Total thickness
approx 283 microns)
26.120.8Research Paper

Vehicle Models using different sizes 4680, 21700, 18650

Vehicle Models &
Manufacturers
46802170018650comment
TeslaModel Y
(Texas)
Model 3Model S
Model YModel X
Roadster
RivianR1T
R1S
Lucid MotorsAir Dream
Air GT
JACiEV6
BMWNEUE KLASSE
(4695 & 46120)

Battery Manufacturers for 4680, 21700, 18650

46802170018650
TeslaPanasonicSamsung SDI
PanasonicSamsung SDIPanasonic
LGLGMolicel
CATLMolicelSony -> Murata
EVEMurata

Electric Vehicle Models, Number of Cells, Configuration, Number of Modules for 4680,21700,18650

Vehicle Models46802170018650Comment
Tesla Model Y 67kWhNr of Cells: 690
Nr of Module:
Config: 69S10P
Tesla Model Y 81kWhNr of Cells: 832
Nr of Module:
Config: 92S9P
Tesla Model S 99kWhNr of Cells: 7920
Nr of Module: 5
Config:
Tesla Model 3Nr of Cells:
Nr of Module:
Config:
Tesla Model XNr of Cells: 8256
Nr of Module: 16
Config:
Tesla RoadsterNr of Cells: 6831
Nr of Module: 11
Config:
Rivian R1T 135kWhNr of Cells: 7776
Nr of Module: 9*2
Config: 108S4P
BMW NEUE KLASSECATL in year 2025
Lucid Motors Air Dream 120kWhNr of Cells: 6600
Nr of Module:
Config: 220S30P
Lucid Motors Air GT 114kWhNr of Cells:
Nr of Module:
Config:

Interested in Each Model by Model Benchmarking? Visit our Benchmarking Page.

Benchmarking

Whenever you look at a new design of pack it is important to some benchmarking of that design in the context of other packs. Any new pack will be measured against some key pack metrics and hopefully using a standard list of benchmarking data. Hence a key part of BatteryDesign.net is to collect together some of the benchmarking material available for some of the important packs.

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