800-Volt architecture evaluated by Tesla for Cybertruck and Semi

During the discussion of Tesla’s first-quarter 2022 financial data, much interesting little news emerged such as the robotaxi project that should go into production in 2024. While answering questions from shareholders, Tesla executives were asked why the company doesn’t adopt an 800V architecture for its cars.

Indeed, this architecture is increasingly taking hold of the next-generation electric cars of other automakers. Think of the Hyundai and Kia models based on the E-GMP platform, the Porsche Taycan, and the future Audi and Porsche cars equipped with the PPE platform. There are also those who have gone further, such as Lucid Motors, which has created a 900 V architecture for Lucid Air.

The answer came through Andrew Baglino, senior vice president of Tesla’s Powertrain and Energy Engineering division. For the executive of the American company, on cars such as the Model 3 and Model Y, this architecture would not make sense.

For smaller platform vehicles such as the Model 3 and Y there are some advantages and disadvantages with the 800 V architecture. Not everything is better. We look at that platform, and we don’t like to ignore the reality of being able to use a higher voltage, but there’s nothing that really encourages us to do so.

Baglino has however clarified that this architecture brings advantages mainly for larger vehicles. Such architecture makes sense, the Tesla executive points out, for electric cars that require more power when charging or a large torque. Precisely for this reason, the American manufacturer is evaluating the 800 V architecture for the Cybertruck and the Semi electric truck.

So, if Tesla were to decide that this is the best way, the electric pickup and the electric truck could have this architecture. We will see what the American manufacturer decides. Elon Musk, however, pointed out that switching to the new architecture would increase costs because the vehicle charging infrastructure and the entire car system would have to be changed.

Musk added that the 800 V architecture will certainly not be considered for the robotaxi since the advantages would be substantially zero.

Source: Teslarati