Tesla is currently juggling several major projects, leading to speculation about when each will be completed.
It plans to launch its much-delayed Model X electric SUV later this year, and unveil a concept version of the Model 3 sedan next year.
But the Model 3's timeliness is largely dependent on another Tesla project--the company's massive lithium-ion cell "Gigafactory," located just outside Reno, Nevada.
Last week Steve Hill, director of the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development, told state lawmakers that construction was progressing quicker than expected.
Officials now estimate that the Gigafactory will open within in a year, reports the Reno Gazette-Journal.
"Certainly one year from now, that factory will be producing batteries," director Hill stated.
Beginning this fall, Panasonic will send several hundred workers to Nevada to prepare for the start of lithium-ion cell production.
The Japanese electronics company--which currently supplies batteries for the Model S and owns a small stake in Tesla--will provide funding for the project, and oversee the completed factory's operation.
The majority of cells produced by the Gigafactory will be used in the 200-mile Tesla Model 3 electric car.
Tesla is the economies of scale of the huge factory to allow it to sell the Model 3 at a base price of $35,000 before incentives.
Some production capacity will also be devoted to battery pack's for Tesla energy-storage venture, which will market stationary-storage systems for homes, businesses, and electrical utilities.
Demand for those packs was far higher than the company had projected, said CEO Elon Musk during the company's last quarterly financial-results call.
As part of the deal negotiated with Nevada to locate the Gigafactory there, Tesla is required to continue submitting progress updates to the state legislature.
It is also required to hire state-approved auditors to monitor progress.
For its part, Nevada is offering Tesla $1.3 billion in incentives for the project.
