Tesla Model Y with BYD batteries enters production in Germany

Local German publication Teslamag is reporting that Giga Berlin began production of the Tesla Model Y equipped with the LFP battery pack manufactured by BYD. The report states that the battery is installed in the new base trim of the Model Y RWD.

Tesla has been quietly launching the entry-level Model Y across various markets but those vehicles have very little in common. The entry-level Model Y in the US is now simply called Model Y and it has only one electric motor powering the rear wheels, it has an EPA rating of 279 miles and it does 0/60 mph in 5.0 seconds. This one starts at $49,990.

An entry-level Model Y in Canada on the other hand starts at an equivalent of $43,800 and it has a 245 miles range - that’s because it comes with a LFP battery pack. And it isn’t an entirely new trim either, it has been available in Europe as Model Y SR+ RWD.

The difference between those vehicles and one reported by Teslamag is that until now LFP battery packs came from CATL and had a 60 kWh capacity. The one reported comes from BYD and after little digging around, we found an EU-type approval for the Tesla Model Y with a structural LFP battery with a capacity of 55 kWh. The battery manufacturer? BYD.

WLTP rates the new battery pack at 440 km which is 15 km less than the CATL pack offers, the EPA rating is not available yet but it will be lower as well than that of the current LFP battery.

The new Model Y will be the first one to come with both front and rear mega casts, it has been reported previously that the maga casting machinery was already in place at Giga Berlin. There are 8 mega-cast press units planned for the factory.

If this report turns out to be correct, it will mean the CATL-equipped Model Y from Shanghai will no longer be imported to Europe. This will of course rely on increased output from Giga Berlin but the team at the factory has been setting new production records almost every month.

Source (German)