Tesla Model 3+ targets record EV range with new battery strategy in China

Tesla is about to introduce a new version of its popular Model 3 sedan in China, designed for one task - to maximize range. Documents filed with Chinese regulators reveal a new trim, badged as the "Model 3+," which cleverly combines existing components to create what could become the longest-range electric car in Tesla's entire lineup.

Tesla plans to take the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup from its entry-level Model 3 and power it with the more advanced ternary Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery pack supplied by LG. Currently, this higher-capacity battery is reserved exclusively for the more expensive, dual-motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Long Range and Performance models. It seems Tesla has rediscovered a simple formula: combine your most efficient motor with your best battery.

The standard RWD Model 3 in China uses a 62.5 kWh Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery from CATL, delivering 394 miles of range on the CLTC cycle. It's an efficient car, consuming just 11.2 kWh of energy per 62 miles. The current range leader, the Long Range AWD model, uses a larger 78.4 kWh NMC battery to achieve 468 miles. However, its dual motors are thirstier, using 12.1 kWh per 62 miles. By equipping the more frugal single-motor drivetrain with the superior NMC battery, the new Model 3+ could easily exceed the 497 miles mark.

Interestingly, a similar, if not the same, model is already offered outside of China. The Long Range RWD Model 3 comes with a 78.1 kWh NMC battery pack that powers the single electric motor. It has an EPA range of 363 miles and is rated by WLTP at 436 miles. The motor in the US version is rated at 235 kW (320 hp), which is slightly more than the Standard version’s 208 kW (283 hp).

This new variant will slot neatly into Tesla's existing pricing structure. According to Chinese media reports, the Model 3+ is expected to launch in early September with a starting price of around RMB 270,000, which is approximately $37,600. This places it right between the base RWD model at RMB 235,500 ($32,830) and the Long Range AWD version at RMB 285,500 ($39,800). For a slightly higher price than the base model, customers will get a massive boost in range, creating a compelling choice for drivers who prefer distance over the all-weather capability of all-wheel drive.

This isn't the first time Tesla has offered a long-range, single-motor variant. The company sold a similar configuration in China years ago, which offered 414 miles of range, but it was discontinued in January 2020. The arrival of the Model 3+ is a return to this concept, now even better thanks to the much-improved battery technology and vehicle refinements from the updated Model 3.

The introduction of the Model 3+ is a direct response to the intense competition in the Chinese EV market, the largest in the world. By focusing on a key selling point like range, Tesla is addressing a major concern for potential buyers of electric cars by providing a clear, practical advantage that is easy for consumers to understand: drive farther on a single charge.

Source (Chinese)