Futu News reported on January 22 that, according to a Reuters report, Tesla allegedly signed a preliminary agreement with Tianjin Lishen. The latter will supply batteries for Tesla's Shanghai factory, and Tesla will use this to reduce its dependence on Panasonic. Earlier, according to Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Panasonic is making arrangements with Tesla to supply batteries from the US super battery factory to Tesla's Shanghai factory. Tesla has yet to specify that the battery supplier for the Shanghai plant will seek multi-source suppliers.

But then,Tesla refuted the rumor that it did not sign “any kind of agreement” with Tianjin Lishen.Tesla said it has received a quota application from Tianjin Lishen, but no further progress has been made.