Tesla Model 3 gets choice of 50 and 75kWh batteries
US car-maker's CEO reveals more about his pure-electric BMW 3 Series rival, admits battery factory might not keep up with the demandTesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that his newest model, the upcoming Model 3, will initially come with either 50kWh or 75kWh versions of the car-maker's lithium-ion power packs.
According to Electrek, Musk confirmed to its reporter the battery pack options would be “just over 50kWh” for the standard version and “about 75kWh” for the long-range version.
Musk also confirmed the 50kWh version would be capable of covering 354km on a single charge while the ‘long-range’ 75kWh version will cover 499km.
The announcement on batteries follows the reveal of US EPA documents suggesting the Model 3 would come with a more powerful still 80kWh battery pack that would also be capable of covering around 500km.
It's thought the discrepancy might come from measuring the useable energy drawn from the lithium-ion batteries.
As well as battery size, Musk has also confirmed performance figures for both models, claiming the 75kWh Model 3 is capable of reaching 96km/h (60mph) in just 5.1 seconds — 0.5sec quicker the standard model.
Making the announcement at an event for shareholders, Musk suggested a lack of battery supply from the Tesla Gigafactory could cause a future bottleneck for the Model 3's production.
As a potential solution to ease demand, Musk suggested buyers should be incentivised to buy the lower-output model with smaller battery pack.
Despite admitting his Gigafactory might not be able to keep up with supply, Musk has already confirmed a Model 3 Performance version will be available from mid-2018.
That car is thought to come with an even more powerful battery that lifts its dual motors from the Model S P100D.
Weighing in 400kg lighter than its larger sibling, the Model 3 Performance should hit 100km/h in less than 2.3 seconds.
The long-range Model 3, meanwhile, comes with a hefty price premium over the regular Model 3. According to Musk, in the US the 75kWh Model 3 version costs $9000 ($A11,500) more than the pure-electric sedan fitted with 50kWh batteries.
By the time local deliveries of the Model 3 finally begin in 2019, both the long-range version and Model 3 Performance should be available to Australian buyers.
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