Shanghai-built Tesla Model 3 to receive bigger batteries, range bump

Tesla’s Model 3 (formerly known as “Standard Range Plus”) and Model 3 Long Range are set to receive a boost in battery size and official range estimates, as Tesla confirms the changes via its online configurator.

Eagle-eyed Tesla fans on tff-forum.de noticed that Tesla’s website source code listed a new option code for the battery - BTF1 - replacing the current BTF0 code. The new battery is now confirmed to be a 62.3 kWh (gross) Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) unit manufactured by CATL. The WLTP combined range figure is now 491 km (305 mi), up from 448 km (278 mi).

While this battery option is currently only available for Shanghai-built cars, it is expected to be rolled out to German-built Model 3s when Gigafactory Berlin comes online.

The Long Range variant hasn’t been forgotten, receiving a 10 percent bump in battery size from 75 kWh to 82 kWh. This means the WLTP range has increased to 614 km (382 mi), up from 580 km (360).

Tesla’s Australian website reflects changes to the Model 3 WLTP range.

The Long Range variant also receives an extended WLTP range according to Tesla’s website.

Both the Tesla Model 3 and Model 3 Long Range have slightly reduced 0-100 km/h times, at 6.1 seconds and 4.4 seconds respectively over the outgoing models. This is likely due to the larger mass of the new battery packs.

Tesla’s Australian website is quoting a delivery time of 8-12 weeks. If that sounds like too long to wait, consider buyers in Canada and the United States, who are currently quoted a delivery time of June 2022 for US-built cars. No changes have been made to the Model 3 Performance, which retains its 80 kWh battery pack and 567 km (352 mi) WLTP range.

This minor changes make the Model 3 even more of a compelling package in Australia, when it comes to range and performance. Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 is available with 451 km (280 mi) WLTP range for $71,900, Kia’s Niro S provides a 455 km (283 mi) WLTP range for $62,590, and the soon to be launched Polestar 2 offers a 440km (273 mi) range for the $59,900 base model and 540 km (336 mi) range for the $64,900 Long Range variant.