Samsung SDI President and CEO Jun Young-hyun on Wednesday confirmed that the company was developing a new and larger form factor for its cylindrical battery cells for electric vehicles.

After the Korean battery giant’s 51st shareholders meeting held in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Jun was asked by The Korea Herald on the progress of the company’s development of “4680” cells, which Jun answered, “We are doing our best.”

Samsung SDI later explained that Jun’s answer did not directly indicate the new cells would have 4680 specifications, meaning 46-by-80-millimeter dimensions.

“Samsung SDI is developing and will introduce a new and larger form factor for its cylindrical batteries in the next two to three years, but the exact product specifications haven’t been decided yet,” a company official said.

While Samsung SDI’s new form factor is under the veil, Tesla and LG Energy Solution is developing 4680 cells as the next version of existing 2170 cells in the market. In September, Telsa first unveiled its 4680 cell design as the next model to power its electric vehicles. The US firm is currently co-developing the larger-format batteries with Panasonic. LGES is also in the development stage of 4680 cells.

By Kim Byung-wook (kbw@heraldcorp.com)