A new entry-level Tesla Model Y with a BYD-powered 55 kWh battery has received approval from the European Union.
As per Teslamag.de, the new vehicle received EU approval via the Netherlands Vehicle Authority on July 1, 2022.
The new vehicle, referred to as the Type 005, has a 55 kWh battery with 440 km of range.
As per the documentation, the new Type 005 battery pack is referred to as a structural pack.
We do not know if the pack is entirely BYD or a combination of BYD cells and Tesla’s battery pack.
Here are the details on the car as per the documentation:
- Range: 440 km (273 miles)
- Energy consumption: 15.5 kWh/100 km (155 Wh/km or 249 Wh/mile)
- Battery: 55 kWh (BYD cells) structural battery pack
- Weight: 2,087 kg
One thing to note is that the Chinese CATL-powered Model 3 has a similar range with an LFP battery.
As per the document, the CATL-powered Model 3 has a 60 kWh battery with a range of 455 km.
So, one has to wonder if this BYD-powered model would also be LFP.
If this model enters production, it will do so at Giga Berlin.
Giga Berlin is producing both the Model Y Long Range AWD and the Performance versions, which both use LG Energy Solution 2170-type cells.
The current plan as we know it will see at least the Long Range AWD model transition to the 4680-cell at some point.
So, at least to say, we will wait and see if this latest version is the one that goes to production or if it will sit on the shelf like the last certified model that we saw back in the Summer of 2021.
