Tesla files for ‘Project Cathode’ facility near Austin-area EV factory

Tesla Inc. is adding another massive industrial facility to its electric vehicle manufacturing campus in eastern Travis County.

The Austin-based company has plans for a “Project Cathode,” which news outlets are reporting will be a facility used to produce cathodes — part of a battery’s makeup — for manufacturing its own batteries.

This appears to be part of the company’s wider plan to manufacture its batteries in-house as the EV and battery sector is booming. The company recently began the initial stages of producing its 4680 cells and battery packs at the Austin factory.

Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) officials filed a permit Feb. 2 with the city of Austin for the project, which could span up to 36 acres. It’s unclear if that takes into account the 65% impervious cover limit in the Austin extraterritorial jurisdiction, which means development could be limited to 23 acres. That would include the facility, driveways, sidewalks, roads and parking lots, among other things.

It is not surprising that the company is planning another project in the area. Tesla’s Colorado River Project LLC, which was a co-applicant on the recent filing, has purchased more than 2,500 acres in the city of Austin ETJ, leaving many to wonder what could be planned on the massive site. It’s not clear where this project would be located on the campus.

Representatives for Tesla did not immediately return requests for comment. A city of Austin spokesperson confirmed that the permit is for a “cathode building,” but did not provide further comment.

Batteries are among the most critical components in EV production. Most batteries are currently made overseas, though automakers are investing large sums to bring more manufacturing capabilities to the United States. Producing its own batteries is rather new for Tesla, and analysts have said the move could significantly reduce Tesla’s car production costs and vertically integrate the company. Tesla has long bought its batteries from Panasonic.

Last April, the company also filed for a “Project Bobcat,” which continues to remain a mystery.

Tesla’s share price closed Feb. 4 at $923.32, up 4% for the week and giving the Elon Musk-led company a market capitalization of about $942 billion. Go here to track the stock yourself.

Courtesy of Austin Business Journal. Click here to see the full article.