Tesla is preparing a new version of its Model 3 in China. Using a configuration already available in Europe, the electric car displays a more than comfortable autonomy. It remains to be seen whether it will be sufficient in the face of fierce competition.
Formerly at the zenith sales, Tesla’s electric cars are in the hollow of the wave around the world, including in China.
It is also there that the manufacturer rolls up with the sleeves with new versions: in parallel with the announcement of a YL model extended to six places, Tesla is preparing a model 3 with large autonomy: the Model 3+.
A not so unprecedented configuration
As always, it is the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technologies (MIIT) that spoils the surprise. After having fanned this Model 3+ and in parallel with the announcement of the autonomy of the Model YL, the Mitis reveals the characteristics of the battery of the sedan, taken up by CnEVPost.
This Tesla Model 3+ (since it seems to be its name) will therefore be powered by a NMC (Nickel – Manganese – Cobalt) battery of 78.4 kWh provided by LG Energy Solution. An almost identical capacity at the “Long Range” pack of Model 3 already in our streets, but which should soon be replaced by a more efficient battery.
But as this Model 3+ is only propelled by a 225 kW rear engine and not by two engines (one at the front, one at the back), as is currently the case in China, this version has autonomy in frank progression: 830 km, certainly according to the optimist Chinese standard CLTC, against 753 km CLTC currently offered by the most enduring of Model 3 in China.
Intense competition
Note all the same that this “large battery / propulsion” version already exists in Europe, with a certified autonomy at 702 km according to the most realistic WLTP standard.
Tesla does not innovate much, and this Model 3+ could only appear as a marketing blow rather than a break -up version: obviously, no evolution on the side of the recharge is to be expected, one of the weak points of the Model 3.
Faced with it, competition will not await it. The Chinese market overflows with inexpensive electric sedans at the cutting edge of technology, such as the inevitable Xiaomi SU7 (up to 830 km of CLTC autonomy also), but also the Zeekr 007 (870 km CLTC, recharge in 15 minutes) or the IM L6 (850 km, recharge in 12 minutes), which has just arrived in Europe.
Other models, such as the Avetr 06 or the Xpeng P7+, cannot offer so much autonomy (up to 725 km CLTC for the Xpeng), but are displayed at unbeatable prices with recharge times under the 20 minutes. Will this Model 3+ allow to stop the fall in sales of the sedan in China, that CnEVPost Announcement at -14.8 % since the start of the year?