Tesla is on the brink of shaking up the electric vehicle market once again by gearing up to enhance its 2025 Model 3 with a more robust battery, as revealed in recent regulatory filings. This upgrade promises a larger battery pack for the most budget-friendly Model 3 version, which features the same number of cells as its predecessor but boasts increased energy density through advanced chemistry or efficient packaging.
Already making waves in Europe and the UK, Tesla has rolled out a Model 3 Long Range variant capable of a staggering 702 kilometers (436 miles) on a single charge, marking a substantial leap from the previous 390-mile benchmark. However, the range increase for the Model 3 RWD will be more modest. Regulatory documents show it achieving 520 kilometers (323 miles) per charge with 19-inch wheels, slightly inching past the current rating.
The secret behind this performance is Tesla’s new 62.5 kWh LFP battery pack, a product of collaboration with supplier CATL. Despite occupying the same size and weight footprint, this pack promises increased performance without introducing revolutionary chemistry. It bypasses the speculated manganese phosphate type, indicating a focus on refinement over reinvention.
This strategic partnership with CATL is likely aimed at cost reduction, potentially offering the battery at a considerably lower price. With the backdrop of plummeting battery-grade lithium prices, CATL is poised to extend attractive deals to Tesla, particularly for its China-manufactured vehicles destined for global markets, including Europe.
Speculation suggests this same battery pack could also be integrated into the upcoming Model Y Juniper refresh, helping to maintain affordability, while improvements to the charging curve remain a tantalizing possibility. The full details will remain under wraps until Tesla officially announces the 2025 Model 3 RWD, potentially in alignment with an enhanced range of 520 kilometers (323 miles) when paired with larger, more costly wheels.
Currently, the base Model 3 with an LFP battery is not marketed in the US, mainly due to ineligibility for federal tax credits. However, Tesla has recently updated its own range predictions for the LR version’s 19-inch wheels, signaling a clear commitment to refining its most affordable model for 2025.
