The Electric: Is One of Tesla's Key Battery Innovations Worth It?

In 2020, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised to completely rework his processes and release a cheap electric vehicle for the masses. That sent rivals scurrying, especially to keep up with his vow to stop making batteries “wet,” the expensive conventional way, requiring toxic solvents, massive drying ovens and cavernous factories. Instead, Tesla would use a new “dry” process that, along with other innovations, would halve its battery costs. That could mean a significant reduction in the price of EVs and real profits for automakers.