Model 3 ‘Highland’ Concept
In a bid to enhance its electric vehicle (EV) capabilities, Tesla is gearing up to upgrade the batteries in its Model 3 cars, according to unnamed sources speaking to Chinese publication 36Kr on Thursday (via CnEVPost).
This revamp will particularly impact the standard range rear-wheel-drive version of the Model 3, which will see a jump in battery capacity from 60kWh to 66kWh, facilitated by the introduction of CATL’s new M3P lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
Tesla’s history shows a consistent pattern of upgrading batteries with every model redesign. Previously, the company improved the Model 3’s Standard Range battery pack from 55kWh to 60kWh from Giga Shanghai. The latest upgrade to 66kWh falls in line with the company’s product planning, it seems.
Furthermore, the newly upgraded 66kWh battery pack will not only benefit the redesigned Model 3 but will also be part of a platform solution, paving the way for its use in upcoming redesigns of the Model Y.
Official information states that the present range of the Giga Shanghai-produced Model 3 is 556 kilometers (approximately 345 miles). With a 6kWh increase in battery capacity coupled with Tesla’s advanced battery management system, it’s expected that the Model 3’s basic range will rise significantly.
The domestic Model 3 redesign, codenamed “Highland”, is set to launch in the third quarter of this year, say sources. Tesla’s Shanghai factory has already undergone production line changes in preparation for this rollout.
Despite impressive sales numbers, Tesla’s China-made Model 3, which has been in production for almost three years, has seen a slump in sales, down 17.5% year-on-year in 2022 to 125,000 units. It’s only in 2023, after several price reductions, that sales began to rebound. This major upgrade involving battery capacity appears to be an urgently needed move.
For the sake of vehicle development efficiency, Tesla typically keeps its battery pack structure unchanged. Thus, to increase capacity beyond the original 60kWh, one of the few options available is to upgrade the battery materials.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has openly shared the “recipe” for this: adding manganese to the cathode of LFP batteries. The resultant manganese iron phosphate batteries have become an industry goal.
Although CATL denies that its M3P battery is a manganese iron phosphate type, its technical configuration is evidently consistent. Slightly different, CATL’s version also adds more cathode material to its manganese iron phosphate batteries.
This move marks a significant step towards Tesla’s continued domination in the electric vehicle market and highlights its relentless efforts in pushing the boundaries of battery technology.
We’ve seen Model 3 ‘Highland’ prototypes on the streets of California.
Also, since June 1st, the drone control around Tesla’s Shanghai factory has been enhanced, with the flight control area around the factory expanded and the flight altitude limited to 30 meters due to strong signal interference, says pilot Wu Wa who has been tracking progress at the site.
This increased control measure is more intense than typical drone controls in China, suggesting local government approval with DJI’s collaboration. This implies intense testing of the new Model 3, as observers hope to use YouTube to monitor progress at Tesla’s Shanghai factory.
