Tesla Looks to Reinforce Its Battery Supply Chain: Why That Matters

China-based (and Warren Buffett-backed) BYD could be a helpful partner to Tesla.

| More on:
digitised image of electrical vehicle being charged

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Supply chains are already stressed for automakers across the world. Given demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to grow by leaps and bounds, that is likely to get worse, with EV batteries widely believed to become the bottleneck. 

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has been leading the sector in all areas so far, and it plans to continue that role if a raw material supply crunch develops. Tesla builds its own cells at its Gigafactories, recently introducing its 4680 battery in cooperation with Panasonic. But this week it seems to have taken another step to ensure its battery supply with plans to source from an EV competitor. 

A lesser-known leader

While Tesla led the world with sales of more than 900,000 electric cars last year, China-based BYD sold over 600,000 electric vehicles of its own, including both plug-in hybrid and battery electric. Now it seems Tesla will be using BYD as a battery supplier, too. The tie-up would link two EV leaders that combined to sell more than one-third of all battery electric vehicles worldwide last year. 

Bar graph showing global battery electric vehicle sales from 2016 to 2021.

 

Tesla and BYD are the world's leaders in battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales.

Aiming to continue domination

Many observers think it will be hard for Tesla to remain the world's dominant EV seller with automotive giants General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, and Toyota quickly ramping up EV production. The crowded field will be fighting to keep its battery supply chains full. Rivian Automotive CEO R.J. Scaringe recently said in his annual letter to shareholders that over the next decade, global battery production capacity will need to increase by 20 times to supply the expected demand. 

Tesla plans to stay ahead of the competition by adding BYD as a supplier for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, according to a Reuters report. Tesla disclosed that LFP made up nearly half of batteries used in its vehicles produced in the first quarter. They are potentially a safer and cheaper rival to nickel-and-cobalt-based lithium-ion batteries. 

BYD launched its LFP Blade battery two years ago. Battery sales only made up 7.3% of total revenue for BYD in 2021, but now Tesla may become a customer and help that figure grow. 

Buffett-backed supplier

Tesla had already begun forging relationships with South Korea's LG Energy Solutions and China's Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) for its LFP battery needs. BYD isn't nearly as big a player in the EV market as those other Asian companies. But that may soon change due to a relationship with Tesla. 

Infographic showing the biggest Asian EV battery makers in 2021.

 

BYD may become a bigger player with a customer in Tesla.

The report quoted Lian Yubo, BYD's executive vice president, as saying in an interview this week, "We are now good friends with Elon Musk because we are preparing to supply batteries to Tesla very soon." If that pans out, Musk won't be the only famous billionaire to be attracted to BYD. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has been a longtime investor in the Chinese EV company, and it held a 7.7% stake worth nearly $7.7 billion as of Dec. 31, 2021.

While a relationship between the two automotive leaders may be a positive for both companies, Tesla could become the big winner. The company now has four global manufacturing plants. An adequate battery supply could be the critical factor to be able to maximize production from those facilities to supply growing demand. The takeaway for investors is that Tesla seems to have things in place to continue dominating even as fierce competition enters the market. It makes the company's estimate of 50% annual production growth over multiple years more viable.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the 'five best ASX stocks' for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Howard Smith has positions in BYD and Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), Tesla, and Volkswagen AG. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2023 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), short January 2023 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), and short January 2023 $265 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on International Stock News

Delighted adult man, working on a company slogan, on his laptop.
International Stock News

Prediction: This artificial intelligence (AI) stock will be worth $5 trillion in 5 years

Amazon is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across many areas of its business.

Read more »

Robot humanoid using artificial intelligence on a laptop.
International Stock News

Google must win at artificial intelligence or its search business could crumble. Does this make Alphabet an AI stock to buy?

Here's a deeper look into how Alphabet is faring in the battle for AI supremacy.

Read more »

A delivery man wearing a cap and smiling broadly delivers two boxes stacked on top of each other at the door of a female customer whose back can be seen at the edge of a doorway.
International Stock News

2 "Magnificent Seven" stocks billionaires are buying

The Magnificent Seven includes some of the most profitable and dominant tech companies in the world.

Read more »

Happy man working on his laptop.
International Stock News

Prediction: This artificial intelligence (AI) stock will be the biggest winner of 2025

Artificial intelligence will be one of the biggest growth opportunities this century.

Read more »

Legendary share market investing expert and owner of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett
International Stock News

Could Warren Buffett's last move as Berkshire Hathaway CEO be buying this beaten-down "Magnificent Seven" stock?

Buffett is a value investor at his core, and he doesn't often buy shares of expensive companies.

Read more »

A woman holds a soldering tool as she sits in front of a computer screen while working on the manufacturing of technology equipment in a laboratory environment.
International Stock News

Prediction: This artificial intelligence (AI) stock will be worth $5 trillion in 3 years

Let's take a closer look at the catalysts that could propel this stock toward that valuation.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.
International Stock News

This Artificial Intelligence (AI) chipmaker just got a game-changing boost from Amazon, and Nvidia investors should be paying close attention

Amazon just made a notable investment in Nvidia's top rival.

Read more »

Happy man working on his laptop.
International Stock News

A once-in-a-decade opportunity: Here's why I'm buying Alphabet stock like there's no tomorrow

Alphabet's stock rarely gets this cheap, and right now could be a once-in-a-decade opportunity to scoop up shares at a…

Read more »