Tesla Model 3 Highland to come with bigger M3P battery by CATL that will be used in Model Y Juniper redesign as well

The new Tesla Model 3 Highland refresh will be equipped with a bigger, 66kWh battery than the one in the base Model 3 now, and the pack will be supplied by the world's biggest EV battery maker CATL with its new manganese phosphate (LMFP) chemistry. CATL's M3P battery tech offers higher energy density than other LMFP batteries while providing similar longevity and charging speed improvements.

To top it all off, their production costs are on par with the LFP chemistry that the base Model 3 uses now. CATL calls them "ternary lithium battery of the phosphate chemistry system" as it doesn't just replace iron with manganese at places, but also throws other metals like zinc or aluminum into the mix. As a result, "the energy density of M3P batteries is about 15% higher than that of lithium iron phosphate batteries, reaching 210 Wh/kg, and the cost is comparable to that of LFP batteries," tip insiders.

The Model 3 Highland with larger 66kWh CATL M3P battery will be made in Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory for a scheduled release in the September quarter, claim Chinese supply chain sources. Not only will the Model 3 Highland redesign offer longer range with the new battery, but Tesla plans to use the same battery with M3P chemistry in the Model Y Juniper refresh that is coming next year as well, they add.

Besides the bigger battery and longer range, the Tesla Model 3 Highland is expected to offer a longer body with redesigned headlights and taillights, the new FSD Hardware 4.0 kit with high-res Samsung cameras, and a more comfortable interior that may include ventilated seats at long last. 

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