Samsung SDI has started production of its new 46-series cylindrical batteries, with initial shipments bound for the US market. The first format in production, the 4695 (46 mm diameter, 95 mm height), will support electric micro-mobility platforms, with broader applications in electric vehicles (EVs) expected as manufacturing scales.
Cell production is underway at the company’s Cheonan plant in South Korea, while module assembly is conducted at the company’s facility in Vietnam. This marks a Korean manufacturer’s first international supply of 46-series cylindrical cells.
The 46-series batteries feature a tab-less architecture that improves current flow and reduces internal resistance by up to 90%.
Compared to earlier cylindrical formats like the 21700, the 46-series offers approximately six times greater energy capacity, enabling EV designers to reduce the number of cells per pack while maintaining energy output.
Samsung SDI has introduced a full lineup of 46-series cells, including sizes 4680, 4695, 46100, and 46120. Mass production is scheduled to begin within the first quarter of 2025. Discussions are underway with multiple global EV manufacturers to expand the future supply of the cells for passenger and commercial vehicle platforms.
Built with high-nickel NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum) cathodes and silicon carbon nanocomposite (SCN) anodes, the cells are designed to improve energy density and cycle life while minimizing swelling and supporting thermal stability — key requirements for modern EV battery systems.
Market research from SNE Research projects global demand for 46-series cylindrical cells to rise from 155 GWh in 2025 to 650 GWh by 2030, driven largely by EV adoption and advanced energy storage applications.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News