Tesla sues ex-supplier Matthews over EV battery trade secrets

Tesla electric vehicle chargers are seen during a sunset at a petrol station in Xinzo de Limia, Spain June 10, 2024. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

(Reuters) -Tesla has sued its former supplier Matthews International in California federal court for allegedly stealing trade secrets related to Tesla's battery-manufacturing process and sharing them with the electric-vehicle giant's competitors.

The lawsuit, filed on Friday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, said Matthews owes damages that Tesla "conservatively estimates will exceed $1 billion" for misusing company trade secrets related to dry electrode battery manufacturing technology.