Tesla improves the range and performance of Model 3/Y without changing the battery capacity

【PCauto】In the Chinese market, Tesla has recently improved the Model 3 and Model Y. While the industry peers usually opt to increase battery capacity to improve performance, Tesla took an unconventional approach: enhancing both range and performance by adjusting battery chemistry and software algorithms, all without changing the original battery pack.

The CLTC-rated range of the updated Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive has increased by 40 kilometers, from 713 km to 753 km. Its 0–100 km/h acceleration time has been shortened from 4.4 seconds to 3.8 seconds, delivering noticeably better performance. However, the upgrade also comes with a price increase of 10,000 RMB (approximately RM 5,900), bringing the new starting price to 285,500 RMB (around RM 169,000). The Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive has also seen its CLTC range increase, rising from 719 km to 750 km.

The cathode material composition of the battery has been optimized by Tesla engineers.

The migration efficiency of lithium ions during the charge-discharge cycle has been enhanced by raising the nickel content and modifying the cobalt to manganese proportion. Concurrently, the electrolyte additives' formula was improved, which led to an internal resistance decrease of about 3%.

Without changing the battery's physical dimensions or weight, these modifications were performed to same-spec lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries that CATL provided. Notably, the battery's working range has increased by 2% due to the Battery Management System's (BMS) better millivolt precision in voltage monitoring, which equates to an additional 1.5 kWh of useful energy discharged within the safe operating range.

Optimization of motor control through software

The permanent magnet synchronous motor's current waveforms have been recalibrated, increasing peak torque output efficiency by 4.7%. Braking energy conversion efficiency rose from 68% to 72% when the energy recovery system was upgraded. This means that about 0.8 kWh more energy was collected per 100 kilometers. A GPS-based preheating approach has been added to the thermal management system. This reduces energy loss while charging in Supercharger by proactively reaching the battery's ideal temperature range station.

Extended range potential was already present in the Model 3/Y.

Elon Musk stated back in May of last year that buyers may unlock the latent range capability of the Model Y units manufactured in recent months for a comparatively inexpensive price. Tesla responded by introducing a service called "Acceleration/Range Upgrade" on its website, which allows users of the Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Model Y to unlock more range. Users can extend the range of their vehicles by roughly 48 to 85 kilometers by spending $1,000 or $1,600.

Clearly, the Model 3/Y has already had the potential for extended range—it’s just that Tesla hadn’t unlocked it until now for certain reasons.