2021 Model 3 and differences from 2020

[Mutant]

Does anyone know about the Fremont battery being better than the Chinese one on the M3 LT AWD? I am worried I will get a Chinese one - I don't have a VIN yet (though I do have text message to say I'm allocated to a car)

I believe LR and Performance models for Europe are still being produced in Fremont. Only the SR+ (using LFP battery) for Europe has been confirmed to be coming from China.

The main disadvantage of LFP over LiCo (Fremont based battery) is energy density which is nominally 15% lower due to lower peak voltage. I don't know if Chinese built LR and Performance are confirmed to use LFP batteries. There may not be enough physical space (without a redesign) to provide the previous battery capacity. With the SR+, the battery area was under utilized allowing for putting slightly larger physical size LFP battery.

Otherwise LFP has many advantages: less prone to thermal runaway; can be fully charged to max voltage (100%) without increased degradation; cheaper ( no nickel or cobalt).

 

[pinchi]

Can we steer this thread back on topic to the Model 3 refresh?

Someone make a separate thread about the necessity of a heated steering wheel

Amen!

 

[Murattukaalai]

I believe LR and Performance models for Europe are still being produced in Fremont. Only the SR+ (using LFP battery) for Europe has been confirmed to be coming from China.

The main disadvantage of LFP over LiCo (Fremont based battery) is energy density which is nominally 15% lower due to lower peak voltage. I don't know if Chinese built LR and Performance are confirmed to use LFP batteries. There may not be enough physical space (without a redesign) to provide the previous battery capacity. With the SR+, the battery area was under utilized allowing for putting slightly larger physical size LFP battery.

Otherwise LFP has many advantages: less prone to thermal runaway; can be fully charged to max voltage (100%) without increased degradation; cheaper ( no nickel or cobalt).

So when are they planning to make LFP battery model 3 in US? I thought it was part of the refresh change.

 

[Zakalwe]

Does anyone know about the Fremont battery being better than the Chinese one on the M3 LT AWD? I am worried I will get a Chinese one - I don't have a VIN yet (though I do have text message to say I'm allocated to a car)

Anything that I've read to date indicates that the MIC have higher build quality than the American made ones. Also, the MIC cars are being built with LFP chemistry which has a number of advantages (and some disadvantages) to the "traditional" lithium based chemistry. The LFP batteries are a bit heavier. On the other hand they happily take a 100% charge without damage. I believe that a weekly 100% charge is actually recommended.

 

[Murattukaalai]

Anything that I've read to date indicates that the MIC have higher build quality than the American made ones. Also, the MIC cars are being built with LFP chemistry which has a number of advantages (and some disadvantages) to the "traditional" lithium based chemistry. The LFP batteries are a bit heavier. On the other hand they happily take a 100% charge without damage. I believe that a weekly 100% charge is actually recommended.

Thanks, now I’m wondering if I should wait to get refresh with LFP in US

 

[MP3Mike]

Thanks, now I’m wondering if I should wait to get refresh with LFP in US

I haven't heard any plans for US made cars to have LFP batteries. (They aren't likely to import the LFP batteries, so it would have to be new local production.) And in China they are only for the SR+.

 

[Hippogrief]

Maybe that's the case! I could be wrong. Any clarity would be good.

Chinese battery = less battery degradation, charging up to 100% is OK, battery is more stable -> less prone to catch fire
I've read somewhere on one disadvantage: battery weighs a bit more, and it reduces the difference between 'gross' and 'curb' weight (so you can carry less luggage)

 

[JCE1]

HD video of everything

Hi
Thank you for sharing your great videos, I wonder if you would be able to confirm if you still have the option to adjust the regenerative braking function, as the latest video from Drive Tesla Canada on You Tube shows that their new Model 3 no longer has that option ?

Kind regards

 

[Shadowfox]

Charging to 100% isn’t particularly good for LFP either (it’s not as bad as it is for not LFP though). However, due to the shape of the LFP voltage curve (google NMC vs LFP voltage curve to see what I mean), it is very very hard to accurately estimate capacity & SOC unless you go to 100% on the regular.

 

[quietblade]

Hey guys! I just received the certificate of conformity of my new M3. The pickup date is 1st of December from Vienna,Austria. What do you think? Any notable differences?

 

[Npap]

Hey guys! I just received the certificate of conformity of my new M3. The pickup date is 1st of December from Vienna,Austria. What do you think? Any notable differences?

I see that the "mass in running order" says 1919kg. Is this the weight of the car? If it is, then it seems a bit heavier compared to the 2020 model. I assume you got the awd long range model.
If this is the case, I wonder if it is a bit heavier due to the bigger battery..?

 

[Dinsdale]

Called Tesla and asked for my VIN. 10th digit is an M and 11th digit is an F. Guy said I'm definitely getting a refreshed model made in the US.

So, thanks for the replies. I am getting a US battery. I didn't plan to charge this to 100% anyway so I am glad to get the better density.

 

[KDot4Real]

Called Tesla and asked for my VIN. 10th digit is an M and 11th digit is an F. Guy said I'm definitely getting a refreshed model made in the US.

So, thanks for the replies. I am getting a US battery. I didn't plan to charge this to 100% anyway so I am glad to get the better density.

did you get a SR+, DM or P3D?

 

[Dinsdale]

Long Range

 

[KDot4Real]

Long Range

Lucky! When did you order? And are you in the US? I ordered back in August but they keep automatically vin matching me to an old one. They said once a refreshed one is available I’ll get matched.

 

[Dinsdale]

Lucky! When did you order? And are you in the US? I ordered back in August but they keep automatically vin matching me to an old one. They said once a refreshed one is available I’ll get matched.

Nah I'm in the UK, ordered mid October. Told I'm looking at mid December. I can't wait.

 

[TimothyHW3]

Any notable differences?

It looks like you got lucky and got the 80-82kWh variant. If you can get Scan My Tesla with an adapter cable soon, would be nice to read what the BMS says about the capacity.

 

[ijohann3s]

Hey, I was just browsing /r/teslamotors when I came across the post claiming they discontinued the SR now and someone in the comments said that it could be realistic that they dropped the price of the SR+ and also introduce the LR RWD for 39k, do you think this could actually happen?

Source: Tesla halts $35k Model 3 Standard Range sales amid rollout of ‘refresh’ vehicles : teslamotors

 

[SmartElectric]

could be realistic that they dropped the price of the SR+ and also introduce the LR RWD for 39k, do you think this could actually happen?

IMHO, within next 6 months, no, Tesla doesn't have a demand problem at current production, but as they ramp in 2021 who knows, for sure, Tesla can't ramp without substantial new 2170 capacity, so I do NOT expect LR with many more cells required to be offered at a low price for this reason alone.

 

[quietblade]

I see that the "mass in running order" says 1919kg. Is this the weight of the car? If it is, then it seems a bit heavier compared to the 2020 model. I assume you got the awd long range model.
If this is the case, I wonder if it is a bit heavier due to the bigger battery..?

Yes, I got the long range model, 18”wheels and white interior.