Tesla began deliveries of the Model Y Performance in China yesterday. The lucky new owners quickly discovered it included a big upgrade – an AMD Ryzen processor.
Now it looks like there is another significant upgrade in the made-in-China Model Y, a 16v lithium-ion battery.
The information came from someone purported to be a Tesla China employee, who shared the news with a Drive Tesla reader in Shanghai.
The Model Y produced by Giga Shanghai is equipped with a 16V lithium battery, which replaces the traditional 12V lead-acid battery, just like Model S Plaid!
— Chris Zheng (@ChrisZheng001) November 26, 2021
UPDATE Nov 27 8:58am PST: The change is now confirmed. The Model Y Performance in China has the same 12v li-ion battery as the Model S/X refresh.
Tesla China is using the new 12v Lithium-ion battery in the China-Made Model Y Performance. The 12v battery is designed for the LIFE OF THE CAR!
Credit to @xiaoteshushu and his GigaWorkshop team for taking apart the car!#Tesla #TeslaChina #ModelY $TSLA pic.twitter.com/do6o60ZeDU
— Jay in Shanghai 电动 Jay (@JayinShanghai) November 27, 2021
Tesla made the same switch earlier this year with the refresh Model S.
The new battery is lighter and more compact than the conventional lead-acid batteries, a perfect combination of features for an electric vehicle (EV).
It should also last much longer than the lead-acid batteries, which were known to frequently die after a year or two (or less) of use in a Tesla.
According to the Model S owner’s manual, the new battery has a rating of 6.9 Ah and 15.5 volts.
If the rumour is true, a li-ion battery will certainly makes its way to Fremont in the next few months. CEO Elon Musk has already said it could come as a retrofit for existing owners.
Tesla considering 12V lithium-ion replacement batteries for older vehicles
