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Tesla’s new Model 3 is rumored to feature new CATL M3P LFP cells for longer range

Tesla’s upcoming new refreshed Model 3 is rumored to feature CATL’s new M3P LFP cells, which should result in a longer range.

For almost a year now, we have been talking about Tesla working on a refresh of its Model 3 electric sedan.

Much of the talk around the refresh has been focused on the design, but Tesla is expected to make some updates under the hood.

Now a new report coming from Asia tech media 36kr claims that we now know that it will feature new battery cells.

The publication claims Tesla will use CATL’s new M3P cell to create a new 66 kWh battery pack (translated):

36 Krypton learned from a number of people familiar with the matter that Tesla ’s domestically-made Model 3 facelift will continue to upgrade the battery pack, especially the power of the basic rear-wheel drive version will be upgraded from 60kWh to 66kWh, using Ningde era M3P new lithium iron phosphate battery.

Top comment by Elliot Geno

Liked by 32 people

The more energy dense the lighter these vehicles get. The more oomph you can get out of the vehicle! They can get away with smaller packs which also means faster charging!

I think Volvo's focus on a small lightweight vehicle is a good indicator of where this is all heading. We should expect a trend towards smaller, evermore spritely vehicles with ranges around 300. But we will likely see the kWh drop too during this optimization phase. We will continue to get more bang for our buck!

Hopefully the big three get onboard with this. We do not need gigantic trucks and SUVs. What we need is intelligently packaged trucks and SUVs that allow the same performance in a smaller package.

8000 pound behemoths with 200 kWh are self defeating their stance on profitability and efficiency.

Efficiency makes money.

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This new battery cell from CATL is believed to push LFP energy density higher while reducing costs.

It should enable a ~6 kWh bump in the total energy inside Tesla’s based battery pack, which should result in a longer range.

We reported last year that CATL was bringing the new M3P cell to volume production in 2023 for deliveries to customers.

CATL has become one of Tesla’s main battery manufacturers in recent years, especially for vehicles produced at Gigafactory Shanghai.

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