April 30 (Reuters) - Tesla's head of battery architecture, veteran Vineet

Mehta, is departing from the company, the Information reported on Wednesday, citing people

familiar with the matter.

Mehta appears to have first widely informed his staff of his departure on Tuesday, with no

indication of plans or when his departure will take effect, the report added.

The departure marks the second prominent departure of battery executives from the company.

Last April, Drew Baglino, head of battery and powertrain, left the company.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Mehta joined Tesla in 2007 and has been involved in battery innovation for 17 years. Tesla

has been upgrading the batteries in its electric vehicles, including a new form of battery for

its Model S and a separate form of batteries for the Cybertruck.

The departure comes as the EV maker struggles to impress investors, with its first-quarter

deliveries plunging 13% due to the backlash against Musk's politics, as well as rising global

competition and people waiting for a refresh of its highest-selling electric vehicle Model Y.

Tesla stock has also fallen about 30% this year.