Tesla’s Model 3 car may sport Samsung batteries

Samsung SDI is making progress in talks with Tesla Motors to supply batteries for the US automaker's Model 3 electric car as well as its energy storage products, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The ‘Nikkei Asian Review’ has reported that Tesla will likely procure batteries for its electric vehicles from Samsung SDI, in addition to batteries from Japan's Panasonic.

The source declined to be identified as the discussions were confidential. A Samsung SDI spokesman declined to comment.

According to the ‘Nikkei Asian Review’ report, the move will end Panasonic’s dominance the “almost sole” supplier of battery cells to Tesla.

The paper noted in the report published June 5 that a batch of Samsung SDI’s battery cells had already arrived at Tesla headquarters in Palo Alto, California. The volume, it noted, was large enough for a pilot project, suggesting they were to undergo a final test before full-scale adoption.