Shanghai-built Tesla Model 3 to receive bigger batteries, range bump
Tesla’s entry-level and Long Range Model 3s will receive a bump in battery capacity and range. Price remains unchanged for the Australian market, and delivery dates are estimated to be 8-12 weeks away.
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.
![Xpeng P5 EV set for April 14 reveal; company posts all time quarterly sales record for 2021 [UPDATED]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5237a580e4b09510ca448d5e/1617864573620-OW94O0V3EMOMDV212S2D/Xpeng-P7.jpg)
Xpeng P5 EV set for April 14 reveal; company posts all time quarterly sales record for 2021 [UPDATED]
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng (also known as XMotors.ai and Xiaopeng Motors) will reveal their P5 mid-size electric sedan online on April 14 at 2pm ET/8pm CET/4am 15/4 AEST prior to the media and public reveal at the Shanghai Auto Fair.
Xpeng’s upcoming P5 sedan
[Updated]: Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng (also known as XMotors.ai and Xiaopeng Motors) will reveal their P5 mid-size electric sedan online on April 14 at 2pm ET/8pm CET/4am 15/4 AEST prior to the media and public reveal at the Shanghai Auto Fair. This follows the recent sighting of camouflaged prototypes undergoing final development testing on the streets of China, and the following teaser image from XPeng:
XPeng’s Chairman He Xiaopeng has hinted in previous discussions with Chinese media that the P5 will be the first production vehicle with Lidar technology — now confirmed in the above tweet — and that the P5 will be equivalent in size roughly to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord (and obviously, Tesla’s Model 3)
The P5 carries the company’s contemporary styling cues, and appears to offer two driver displays in the interior. The vehicle architecture is shared with the company’s G3 crossover, and customer deliveries are expected to commence towards the end of 2021.
XPeng’s P5 undisguised. Credit: reddit.com/wyboongk
XPeng posts best ever monthly and quarterly sales results
Admittedly, XPeng’s 2020 sales didn’t hit expectations due to a number of factors—only 6 months of P7 sedan sales as well as the COVID-19 pandemic—but the company has posted strong numbers for this year, with 13,340 sales from January to March 2021, versus 1,419 for the previous period in 2020. The company sold 7,974 P7 sedans, and 5,366 G3 SUVs, and also surpassed a cumulative total of 50,000 vehicles.
According to XPeng, "The Company attributed the record quarterly deliveries to its growing brand recognition and product appeal, expanded product portfolio and its relentless efforts in broadening sales, marketing and supercharging service networks across China."
Xpeng is working hard to continue growing its sales as well as its brand in China, and faces stiff competition from BYD, NIO, upcoming Zhiji Auto and of course, Tesla. XPeng is growing its DC fast charging network across China, with over 935 sites across 139 cities available by the end of 2021. The company has also reached an agreement with NIO for customers of either brand to be able to share fast charging stations. In addition, Xpeng has brought in a lower-priced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery option from CATL, designed for city-based customers for whom a longer battery range is of limited value. Customers who opt for the LFP battery option can expect to save around RMB 20,000 ($3,000 US) per vehicle.
