Tesla EVs have gone by many design iterations over time, and one of many most-revised components of Tesla’s design has been the excessive voltage battery. The early years of the Mannequin S and Mannequin X noticed the whole lot from a 40 kWh battery pack to an enormous 100 kWh pack, with loads of packs in between.

However attempting to determine which battery pack a Tesla has put in will be complicated. Whether or not you’ve gotten an early Mannequin S or a 2023 Mannequin Y (or need to purchase both one on the used market), realizing what sort of battery is in a Tesla might help you perceive any vary and charging points which may crop up later.

On this article, we’ll stroll you thru Tesla’s EV battery packs and present you learn how to verify your Tesla for its battery kind. Then, we’ll focus on learn how to get a good suggestion of a Tesla’s battery’s dimension in kWh.

Which Battery Kind Is in My Tesla?

What kind of battery is in a Tesla? Let’s begin with some Tesla battery chemistry trivia:

Simply so we’re clear, all Teslas, from the 2006 Roadster to the 2023 Mannequin Y, use Lithium-Ion battery packs. The distinction in battery packs between Teslas lies with the chemistry that goes together with the lithium and within the bodily dimension and variety of the cells included in every pack.

Tesla’s first battery packs—the ESS packs made for the Tesla Roadster—had been made up of 6,831 18650-type cells (3.7v cells, every cylindrical with a dimension of 18mm x 65mm). The cells had been organized into 11 sheets of 9 “bricks”, every with 69 cells (11 sheets x 9 bricks x 69 cells = 6,831 whole cells).

You may get a tremendous inside view of how this works on this Roadster battery disassembly video from Gruber Motors:

These 18650 batteries (manufactured largely by Panasonic) use various quantities of Nickel, Cobalt, and Aluminum (NCA). The Mannequin S and Mannequin X additionally use 18650 cells (typically shortened to 1865) in 16 modules that comprise various numbers of cells relying on the 12 months and battery pack dimension of the automotive. The chemistry of the Mannequin S and X battery cells varies in cobalt content material, however in 2023 they’re all nonetheless NCA cells. Right here’s a greater inside have a look at the Mannequin S and X battery pack from a teardown posted by Jehu Garcia:

For the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y, battery sorts and chemistries are diverse.

The Mannequin 3 began out with the identical 1865 NCA battery packs because the Mannequin S / Mannequin S. Later iterations (and producers apart from Panasonic) have given the Mannequin 3 2170 type NCA batteries (current on most Efficiency and Lengthy Vary Mannequin 3s previous to 2023) and 2710 Nickel-Cobalt-Magnesium (NCM) batteries (used for Telsas manufactured in China and Berlin). Most lately, Tesla has turned to prismatic Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) batteries in the usual Mannequin 3 (from CATL in China, 2021-2023) and probably additionally within the 2023 Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary.

The Mannequin Y went by an identical battery evolution to the Mannequin 3 with one extra iteration: Tesla’s proprietary 4680 battery. When Munro & Associates analyzed the parts from a Mannequin Y battery, they concluded that the 4680 was an NMC (which is basically the identical as NCM) with an 8-1-1 ratio of nickel, magnesium, and cobalt.

NCA and LFP battery sorts have completely different traits that may change how your battery fees and the way a lot vary your Tesla really has. For the usual variations of the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y, Tesla began putting in LFP batteries in the course of the supplies shortages of 2021. At the moment, the LFP batteries have a spread discount of about 10% from the usual NCA that was already in use, however they will cost as much as 100% with none added stress/degradation of the battery pack. The one actual draw back to the LFP packs is their lack of ability to cost in freezing temperatures (although a well-managed preheat routine might help negate this concern).

The NCA battery packs enable for extra vary and energy than the LFP packs, however there are a couple of drawbacks. As we talked about, NCA (and NCM) batteries ought to solely be often charged as much as 80% of their capability to maintain battery degradation at a minimal. They’re additionally extra prone to thermal runaway (battery fires), although these incidents are uncommon because of Tesla’s battery shielding strategies and wonderful thermal administration system.

Methods to Inform if Your Tesla’s Battery Is Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum (NCA)

To find out in case your Tesla has an NCA battery, navigate to Charging > Set Restrict in your Tesla’s touchscreen.

If the slider choices for “Each day” and “Journey” are each current, your Tesla probably has an NCA battery.

For Mannequin Y manufactured in Austin, TX (or for Teslas manufactured in China or Germany): the battery could also be an NCM (or NMC). That is significantly true for Giga Texas Mannequin Y’s manufactured after 2022.

Methods to Inform if Your Tesla’s Battery Is Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)

To find out in case your Tesla has an LFP battery, navigate to Controls > Software program > Extra Automobile Info in your Tesla’s touchscreen.

For those who see “Excessive Voltage Battery kind: Lithium Iron Phosphate” listed, your Tesla has a LFP battery.

What Battery Dimension is In My Tesla?

Tesla used to make use of battery sizes of their branding for the Mannequin S and Mannequin X (2012-2019), however the precise variety of kWh in every Tesla pack is one thing of a thriller. Whereas you will get a very good normal thought of which pack your Tesla has by wanting up the marketed capability in kWH on your Mannequin, 12 months, and trim degree, the precise pack in your Tesla gained’t precisely match up with these values (and, in some instances, the obtainable capability was software-limited). We gained’t go into why that is the case, however simply realize it’s what Tesla selected to do.

Newer Teslas are merely named by mannequin and trim with out point out of which pack dimension they’ve, so we’ve to get inventive with how we verify for a Tesla battery dimension.

A method we will attempt to decide pack dimension is by studying the half sticker on every Tesla battery pack. On some fashions, the dimensions of the pack is listed proper on the sticker.

Let’s check out learn how to discover the battery sticker on every Tesla mannequin:

The place to Discover the Mannequin S and Mannequin S Battery Sticker

You’ll be able to usually find the battery pack sticker for the Mannequin S and Mannequin X on the within of the wheel properly behind the entrance passenger wheel.

Most Mannequin S and Mannequin X battery pack stickers ought to appear to be this:

Hopefully, you’ll be able to see that the sticker lists this half as a excessive voltage battery with a quantity (typically printed twice) for capability in kWh.

Notice: often, the sticker will listing REM on the pack, which denotes that the pack was remanufactured. Often, this may solely be current on a Tesla that has undergone battery restore or alternative.

Methods to Discover the Mannequin 3 (and Mannequin Y) Battery Sticker

For the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y, it’s a lot more durable to get a very good have a look at the battery sticker, however a member of Tesla Motor’s Membership posted a neat trick to getting a very good image of it with a smartphone.

Sadly, the Mannequin 3 (and Mannequin Y) battery sticker has much less info on it than the Mannequin S and X stickers do. You’ll be capable to see the half quantity, however it is going to be troublesome to be taught something from that info with out entry to Tesla’s components catalog.

Early Mannequin 3s (and probably the earliest Mannequin Y) could have an extra sticker situated underneath the frunk cowl that exhibits battery dimension in kWh (see your Tesla handbook for eradicating this cowl; it usually gives entry to the 12V battery and the air consumption). Nonetheless, later Mannequin 3s (probably after 2020 or 2021) and Mannequin Ys don’t have the extra sticker from underneath the frunk panel.

What if You Can’t Discover Your Tesla’s Battery Pack Sticker?

Whereas it’s uncommon for the battery sticker to fall off, typically the sticker has both been eliminated (Tesla typically does this with their Used Stock if a pack has been refurbished / changed) or it is probably not readable.

Luckily, there may be at the least yet another technique to get data in your Tesla’s battery pack: ask a Tesla Service Heart Technician. Tesla’s service techs have extra entry to your Tesla’s service info, both of their system or by your Tesla’s interface. They need to give you the option that can assist you with a few of your questions on which battery pack has been put in in your Tesla.

Final resort (disclaimer: we do NOT suggest that you just do this, however it’s value realizing about): you’ll be able to entry battery well being info (which incorporates usable pack capability) your self by your Tesla’s service mode. Nonetheless, please be warned that accessing service mode may end up in precise harm to your Tesla. It’s all the time higher to not go poking round and altering issues in service mode whenever you haven’t been educated to make use of it.

Trying to Purchase a Tesla With a Particular Battery Kind?

Earlier than we go (and earlier than the Tesla battery kind FAQ on the finish of this publish), we like to present a fast shout-out to you if you happen to’re studying about batteries since you’re seeking to purchase a used Tesla.

Since we designed our used EV listings round used Teslas proper from the start, we’ve received the early Mannequin S neatly categorized by battery dimension. For those who’re in search of a pre-2019 Mannequin S (or Mannequin X) with a particular battery in thoughts, it’s as simple as utilizing our listings battery filter.

For different Tesla fashions, it’s not fairly as simple. You’ll be able to slender down your seek for particular Tesla battery sorts primarily based on trim degree and verify the outcomes towards the information we gave you above about which mannequin years had a selected battery type.

Better of luck in your battery pack sleuthing endeavors!

And hey, when it comes time to swap out your Tesla on your subsequent EV (we’ve been listening to rumors that Cybertruck could lastly begin displaying up in August), make sure you get a stable quote on your used Tesla from our EV Money Supply community!

FAQ About Tesla Battery Packs

The next are widespread questions and solutions about Tesla battery packs.

What Kind of Batteries Do Teslas Use?

Teslas use Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries in a wide range of sizes and battery chemistries. To this point, Tesla’s Li-ion battery sorts have included Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum (NCA), Nickel-Cobalt-Magnesium (NCM), and Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) chemistries.

What Kind of Battery Cells Are in a Tesla?

Through the years, Tesla battery cell codecs have included 18650 cells, 2170 cells, LFP prismatic cells, and 4680 cells.

What Is the Tesla Mannequin 3 Battery Kind?

From 2017 till 2021, the Mannequin 3 Battery kind was an NCA battery utilizing 2170 cells. In 2021, Tesla started utilizing prismatic LFP batteries on the usual Mannequin 3.

The Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary and Mannequin 3 Efficiency probably nonetheless each use NCA battery sorts, although this hasn’t been verified.

What Is the Tesla Mannequin Y Battery Kind?

The Mannequin Y battery sorts have included the 2170 NCA battery pack, the prismatic LFP battery pack, and Tesla’s new 4680 NMC battery pack.

What Type of Battery Will the Cybertruck Have?

So far as we all know, Tesla plans to make use of their very own 4680 cells (NMC) for the Tesla Cybertruck battery pack.

How A lot Does It Price to Change A Tesla Battery Pack?

Changing a Tesla battery pack (any kind) can value anyplace from $7,000 to over $15,000. For extra detailed alternative prices for a Tesla battery, click on right here.