Photo: CATL | Edited
Tesla is preparing the refreshed Model 3, rumored to start deliveries in the coming months. A new report confirms previous information that the revamped Model 3 will feature an LMFP battery pack. The improved chemistry will raise the battery capacity to 66 kWh, a 10% improvement over current LFP packs in the Model 3 RWD.
When CATL announced its M3P battery cells in July 2022, it offered little information besides the fact that it's a modified formula based on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry. Many confused them with LMFP cells, which add manganese to the recipe for improved energy density. Still, CATL assured us that the M3P cells are different in the way that the iron is enriched with a mix of materials that include magnesium, zinc, and aluminum.
This gives them a better performance than the LFP cells while keeping the price well below the NMC cells used in high-performance EVs. Compared to LMFP cells, the M3P cells have a longer lifecycle and lower internal resistance. This allows faster charging times and higher discharge currents, hence more powerful drive configurations.
Last year, CATL announced that the M3P cells would be supplied to Tesla "in early 2023," although it didn't happen. Instead, the new cells will land in the battery packs of the refreshed Model 3 RWD, which is expected to start deliveries in the coming months. This information has been confirmed by the Chinese media, which also says that the new battery packs offer a nice capacity boost, from 60 kWh to 66 kWh for the Model 3 RWD. This is the second battery upgrade for the base version of the Model 3, which started with a 55-kWh LFP pack. The new battery pack will also be installed in future versions of the Model Y.
The Tesla Model 3 RWD with an LFP battery pack now has an EPA range of 272 miles (440 km). With the upgraded battery, it should go as far as 300 miles on a charge (480 km). That is unless Tesla manages to squeeze more range thanks to improved efficiency in the drivetrain and better aerodynamics. The refreshed Model 3, also known by its internal name Project Highland, is reportedly slightly longer and sportier. If the reports are accurate, it will also feature a steer-by-wire system and many improvements throughout.
Depending on the production place, Tesla uses different chemistries, form factors, and suppliers for its battery packs. Giga Berlin, for instance, uses LFP cells from BYD for the Model Y RWD, while the Long Range and Performance variants are built with 4680 cells supplied by Panasonic. For Giga Shanghai, Tesla buys LFP cells from CATL, while LGES provides the NCM cells. Finally, the cars produced in Fremont and Texas use NMC cells from Panasonic and LGES, while imported LFP cells go into Model 3 RWD.
This gives them a better performance than the LFP cells while keeping the price well below the NMC cells used in high-performance EVs. Compared to LMFP cells, the M3P cells have a longer lifecycle and lower internal resistance. This allows faster charging times and higher discharge currents, hence more powerful drive configurations.
Last year, CATL announced that the M3P cells would be supplied to Tesla "in early 2023," although it didn't happen. Instead, the new cells will land in the battery packs of the refreshed Model 3 RWD, which is expected to start deliveries in the coming months. This information has been confirmed by the Chinese media, which also says that the new battery packs offer a nice capacity boost, from 60 kWh to 66 kWh for the Model 3 RWD. This is the second battery upgrade for the base version of the Model 3, which started with a 55-kWh LFP pack. The new battery pack will also be installed in future versions of the Model Y.
The Tesla Model 3 RWD with an LFP battery pack now has an EPA range of 272 miles (440 km). With the upgraded battery, it should go as far as 300 miles on a charge (480 km). That is unless Tesla manages to squeeze more range thanks to improved efficiency in the drivetrain and better aerodynamics. The refreshed Model 3, also known by its internal name Project Highland, is reportedly slightly longer and sportier. If the reports are accurate, it will also feature a steer-by-wire system and many improvements throughout.
Depending on the production place, Tesla uses different chemistries, form factors, and suppliers for its battery packs. Giga Berlin, for instance, uses LFP cells from BYD for the Model Y RWD, while the Long Range and Performance variants are built with 4680 cells supplied by Panasonic. For Giga Shanghai, Tesla buys LFP cells from CATL, while LGES provides the NCM cells. Finally, the cars produced in Fremont and Texas use NMC cells from Panasonic and LGES, while imported LFP cells go into Model 3 RWD.
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