Tesla's New Model 3 Is Reportedly Coming With CATL's New Long Range Battery

In recent times, there has been much anticipation surrounding Tesla's plans for refreshing its popular Model 3 electric sedan. While a significant amount of speculation has revolved around design changes, it is widely expected that Tesla will also make updates to the vehicle's powertrain.

A recent report from Asia's tech media outlet, 36kr, now suggests that we have gained some insight into the upcoming changes. According to the publication, the refreshed Tesla Model 3 will be equipped with new battery cells. Specifically, Tesla is rumored to employ CATL's innovative M3P cells, which could potentially result in a longer driving range.

According to 36kr's sources, Tesla will incorporate CATL's M3P lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries into a new 66 kWh battery pack. The report states:

"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."

CATL's new M3P battery cells are expected to enhance the energy density of LFP batteries while simultaneously reducing costs. These advancements are projected to enable an approximate increase of around 6 kWh in the total energy capacity of Tesla's battery pack, potentially leading to a longer driving range.

Interestingly, we had previously reported that CATL was planning to commence volume production of the M3P cells in 2023 for delivery to customers. This suggests that the timing of the Model 3 refresh aligns with the availability of these upgraded battery cells.

Over the past few years, CATL has emerged as one of Tesla's key battery suppliers, particularly for vehicles manufactured at Gigafactory Shanghai. The partnership between Tesla and CATL has been mutually beneficial, with CATL's expertise in battery technology complementing Tesla's electric vehicle prowess.

As the automotive industry continues to prioritize range improvements and cost reductions in battery technology, Tesla's decision to leverage CATL's new M3P cells is a strategic move. By incorporating these advanced batteries into its vehicles, Tesla can potentially offer customers a longer driving range without compromising on affordability.

While Tesla has yet to officially confirm these rumors surrounding the Model 3 refresh, the information provided by 36kr adds further fuel to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming changes. As electric vehicles gain traction and become more mainstream, the continuous evolution of battery technology is crucial in driving widespread adoption.

Tesla's utilization of CATL's newer and more powerful M3P battery cells in the refreshed Model 3 has the potential to make a substantial impact in extending the vehicle's range. As we await official confirmation from Tesla, it is worth noting that the collaboration between these two industry leaders showcases the importance of innovation and strategic partnerships in shaping the future of electric mobility.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.