{"id":6269,"date":"2026-01-28T18:54:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T17:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/non-categorise\/tesla-optimus-lg-energy-negotiates-batteries-for-the-robot\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T10:17:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T09:17:18","slug":"tesla-optimus-lg-energy-negotiates-batteries-for-the-robot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/news\/tesla-optimus-lg-energy-negotiates-batteries-for-the-robot\/","title":{"rendered":"Tesla Optimus: LG Energy negotiates Batteries for the robot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On January 28, 2025, the share price of <strong>LG Energy Solution<\/strong> soared by <strong>+11% in a single day<\/strong> on the Seoul Stock Exchange. Behind this spectacular rise, a bombshell revelation from the Korea Economic Daily: the Korean Batteries giant is reportedly in advanced negotiations with Tesla to power <strong>Optimus<\/strong>, its humanoid robot. But that&#8217;s not all.  <\/p>\n\n<p>LG is reportedly in talks with several <strong>Chinese robot manufacturers<\/strong> simultaneously, turning this technological battle into a true international race. While Chinese giants CATL and BYD dominate the global Batteries market, why is all attention suddenly turning to South Korea? <\/p>\n\n<p>I&#8217;ll explain why this negotiation reveals much more than a simple commercial contract: it outlines the contours of a technological war where energy density becomes the decisive weapon.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"a-stock-market-bombshell-that-reveals-a-technological-battle\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A stock market bombshell that reveals a technological battle<\/h2>\n\n<p>When a stock jumps by 11% in a single session, it&#8217;s never insignificant. The <strong>spectacular rise<\/strong> of LG Energy Solution validates one thing: the market anticipates a major shift. <\/p>\n\n<p>The information comes from the <strong>Korea Economic Daily<\/strong>, a reference publication for the South Korean economy, which gives it immediate credibility. According to their sources, LG Energy Solution is actively negotiating with Tesla to become Optimus&#8217;s Batteries supplier. But the story doesn&#8217;t end there.  <\/p>\n\n<p>The Korean group is also reportedly in talks with several <strong>Chinese humanoid robot manufacturers<\/strong>, confirming that this demand is not specific to Tesla. The entire robotics industry is knocking on LG&#8217;s door. <\/p>\n\n<p>This <strong>market validation<\/strong> marks a strategic turning point. After dominating the electric car sector, LG Energy Solution is now positioning itself in what could become the next massive growth driver: Batteries for humanoid robots. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tesla-optimus-batteries-lg-energy-01.jpg\" alt=\"Tesla Optimus: LG Energy negotiates Batteries for the robot\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"why-all-eyes-are-turning-to-korean-ternary-batteries\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why all eyes are turning to Korean ternary Batteries<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"ternary-batteries-vs-lfp-an-energy-density-match\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ternary Batteries vs LFP: an energy density match<\/h3>\n\n<p>To understand the stakes, one must grasp the fundamental difference between two lithium Batteries technologies.<\/p>\n\n<p>On one side, <strong>lithium ternary Batteries<\/strong> (NCM or NCA), a specialty of LG Energy Solution and the Koreans. On the other, <strong>LFP Batteries<\/strong> (lithium iron phosphate), the preferred domain of Chinese CATL and BYD. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ternary Batteries<\/strong>: higher energy density, but higher cost and increased thermal sensitivity<\/li>\n<li><strong>LFP Batteries<\/strong>: cheaper, safer, longer lifespan, but 20% to 30% lower energy density<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>In an electric car, this difference can be compensated by simply installing a larger Battery pack. But in a humanoid robot, it&#8217;s a different story. <\/p>\n\n<p>The decisive advantage of Korean Batteries lies in their <strong>superior energy density<\/strong>: more energy stored in the same volume. For Optimus and its competitors, it&#8217;s the difference between 2 hours and 6 hours of runtime in an identical chassis. <\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"the-specific-constraints-of-a-humanoid-robot\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The specific constraints of a humanoid robot<\/h3>\n\n<p>A robot like Optimus faces a brutal double technical challenge: <strong>limited space<\/strong> in a human-proportioned chassis, and <strong>high power<\/strong> required for operation.<\/p>\n\n<p>Unlike a car where the Battery can occupy the entire floor, a humanoid robot must concentrate its energy pack in a torso of a few tens of centimeters. Every cubic centimeter counts. <\/p>\n\n<p>And the energy consumption is voracious. <strong>Articulated motors<\/strong> (several dozens per robot to reproduce human mobility) and <strong>embedded AI processors<\/strong> (which analyze the environment in real-time) are huge energy consumers. <\/p>\n\n<p>You can&#8217;t compensate like with a Tesla Model 3 by simply adding more cells. The weight and bulk would become prohibitive. It&#8217;s the impossible compromise: featherweight, maximum runtime, high power.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Hence the vital interest in LG&#8217;s ternary Batteries.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"optimus-teslas-existential-gamble-according-to-elon-musk\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optimus, Tesla&#8217;s existential gamble according to Elon Musk<\/h2>\n\n<p>Elon Musk doesn&#8217;t mince words: Optimus could become <strong>&#8220;Tesla&#8217;s most important product&#8221;<\/strong>. A statement that might seem excessive coming from the founder of a company valued at several hundred billions thanks to its electric cars. <\/p>\n\n<p>However, Musk&#8217;s vision extends far beyond automobiles. According to him, the potential market for humanoid robots could eclipse that of electric vehicles. Every home, every factory, every warehouse could need versatile robots.  <\/p>\n\n<p>But to achieve this vision, Optimus&#8217;s <strong>energy needs<\/strong> must be resolved. A robot performing complex tasks simultaneously requires its mobility (movements, manipulations) and its real-time AI computation (vision, decision-making). <\/p>\n\n<p>The challenge of <strong>operational autonomy<\/strong> is decisive. A robot that spends half its time plugged into an outlet has no commercial utility. It must last a full workday, or even longer.  <\/p>\n\n<p>If Tesla does choose LG Energy Solution, it will send a strong signal to the entire industry: the battle for humanoid robotics will first be won on the Batteries front.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tesla-optimus-batteries-lg-energy-02.jpg\" alt=\"Tesla Optimus: LG Energy negotiates Batteries for the robot\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"the-chinese-paradox-global-leaders-but-technologically-limited\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Chinese paradox: global leaders but technologically limited<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"catl-and-byd-giants-with-feet-of-clay\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">CATL and BYD, giants with feet of clay?<\/h3>\n\n<p><strong>CATL and BYD<\/strong> are not small players. These two Chinese giants together control nearly half of the global Batteries market for electric vehicles. CATL notably supplies Tesla in China.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Their historical strength lies in their leadership in <strong>LFP Batteries<\/strong>. This technology offers undeniable advantages: lower production costs, increased safety (reduced thermal runaway risk), exceptional longevity. <\/p>\n\n<p>But for humanoid robotics, their technical limitation becomes a major handicap. The lower energy density of LFP, acceptable for a car, becomes prohibitive for a robot with drastic space constraints. <\/p>\n\n<p>This explains this fascinating paradox: <strong>Chinese robot manufacturers<\/strong> are turning to South Korea despite the geographical proximity and established commercial relations with CATL and BYD.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"geopolitical-implications-and-supply-chains\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Geopolitical implications and supply chains<\/h3>\n\n<p>This situation creates an unusual <strong>technological dependence<\/strong>. China, an industrial superpower and world leader in Batteries, finds itself in a position of dependence in an emerging strategic segment. <\/p>\n\n<p>For a country that has made technological autonomy a national priority, particularly in industrial and domestic robotics, this is a delicate position. The sovereignty stakes in this sector are considerable. <\/p>\n\n<p>The Chinese response will probably not be long in coming. A race against time has begun to catch up on high-density ternary Batteries. But the development of these technologies requires years of R&amp;D.  <\/p>\n\n<p>For Tesla, the situation is just as complex. The company must navigate between different Asian suppliers, each with its strengths and weaknesses, in a tense geopolitical context. <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"meanwhile-tesla-accelerates-on-other-fronts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meanwhile, Tesla accelerates on other fronts<\/h2>\n\n<p>While this battle for robotic Batteries is unfolding, Tesla continues its deployment in another area of autonomy: autonomous driving.<\/p>\n\n<p>The Swedish Transport Agency has just approved <strong>FSD tests in Sweden<\/strong>, with the support of the Nacka municipality. A symbolic step in the European conquest, even if the full <strong>European deployment<\/strong> is only planned for early 2026. <\/p>\n\n<p>Currently, FSD Supervised is available in six markets: Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United States. Each new authorization expands the training database and accelerates system improvement. <\/p>\n\n<p>The link with Optimus is not direct, but strategic. Tesla is methodically building an <strong>autonomy ecosystem<\/strong>: autonomous vehicles on one side, humanoid robots on the other. Both share common technological building blocks (AI, computer vision, real-time decision-making).  <\/p>\n\n<p>The contrast is striking: while Europe struggles with regulations and proceeds cautiously with FSD, Tesla is already negotiating the energy supply for the next robotic revolution.<\/p>\n\n<p>This negotiation between LG Energy Solution and Tesla is not a simple commercial contract. It is a <strong>leading indicator<\/strong> that reveals where the next major industrial battle will be fought. Energy density, long a secondary criterion behind cost or safety, is becoming the decisive competitive advantage.  <\/p>\n\n<p>For Tesla, securing the supply of what Elon Musk considers the company&#8217;s &#8220;most important product&#8221; becomes a strategic priority. For LG Energy Solution, it&#8217;s an opportunity to transform its technological leadership into a dominant position in a nascent market. <\/p>\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.danenergy.com\/fr\/robotics-batteries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sector analyses<\/a>, the Batteries battle has only just begun. And in this race, energy density could well become the new battlefield that will separate tomorrow&#8217;s leaders from yesterday&#8217;s outsiders. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On January 28, 2025, the share price of LG Energy Solution soared by +11% in a single day&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6271,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[89,90],"class_list":{"0":"post-6269","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-model-3","9":"tag-model-y","10":"cs-entry","11":"cs-video-wrap"},"acf":[],"onesignal_meta_box_present":null,"onesignal_send_notification":null,"onesignal_modify_title_and_content":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_heading":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_content":null,"_yoast_wpseo_title":null,"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":null,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":null,"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6269"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6273,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6269\/revisions\/6273"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}