A battery cell for an electric vehicle battery pack is provided. A housing of the battery cell can define a cavity. An electrolyte material can be housed within the cavity. A first polarity terminal of the battery cell can be disposed at an open end of the housing. A first conductive tab can be disposed at a closed end of the housing and electrically coupled with a first polarity portion of the electrolyte material. A conductive rod can extend through a core of the electrolyte material and can include a first end disposed at the closed end of the housing and electrically coupled with the first conductive tab. A receptacle can be electrically coupled with the first polarity terminal and can extend towards the electrolyte material to engage with a second end of the conductive rod at the open end of the housing.