Battery size - another question from someone who hasn't got their M3 yet

[john19951]

The latest M3LR is said to have an 82 kWh battery. Is there any information displayed on the Touchscreen that shows that an 82 kWh battery is installed.

Yes, I know that there is (or might be?) a label on the battery that can be read by crawling under the car.

I've done due diligence. I've read the user manual, searched all 263 pages of it, but (as on many other occasions) no answer.

 

[phil4]

Nope.

 

[Adopado]

The latest M3LR is said to have an 82 kWh battery. Is there any information displayed on the Touchscreen that shows that an 82 kWh battery is installed.

It's all very new ... and you may or may not end up with the battery upgrade ... hopefully you will. Model 3s have not come with a specific battery size indicated on the car to date.

 

[MrBadger]

I would imagine the range display will confirm, even if you need to do some maths.

 

[Lx2m3]

According to 2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD - Specifications and price it’s 79.5kWh (2020 model)

 

[ACarneiro]

According to 2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD - Specifications and price it’s 79.5kWh (2020 model)

Says the same same for the 2019 model, though?

 

[nxsynjs]

I believe that Tesla (like most other EV makers) quote total battery capacity, not usable size. They always tend to keep a few KW reserved so that as degradation occurs there is spare capacity to make up for it. So while the total size might be 82Kw the usable amount will probably be less.

 

[phil4]

In all reality the difference of a few KW is neither here nor there. Sure it’s good to have, but with so many factors (temps, driving style, tyre pressure, wheel design, cargo weight, route etc) increasing or decreasing it it’ll be barely noticeable.

Don’t forget you’re encouraged also to not charge to 100%, so you’ll never even see the max rates range very often.

if it was a much bigger difference I get it, but this is a small amount.

Rather than worry whether it has a slightly larger battery instead make the most of driving it and the toys and tech it has.

 

[browellm]

Of course it's noticeable, otherwise why would they bother?

 

[phil4]

Of course it's noticeable, otherwise why would they bother?

You can have that view. I have a different one.

My theory as to why, is so that it improves their EPA/WLTP range, which it will.

However I’d also suggest that you, the driver will not notice, even more so if you’ve not actually got anything to compare with.

 

[MrBadger]

My theory as to why, is so that it improves their EPA/WLTP range, which it will.

I would think that is probably the main reason, but it doesn't do them any harm in the kWh numbers game either - not that Tesla make a big deal of it but some other manufacturers like to promote their battery size.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

Remove 6 small bolts and unclip some plastic bits and you can remove the frunk, where you'll find this:

It may just be possible to see this sticker without removing the frunk, by using a mirror/torch/endoscope or whatever, but I haven't tried that...

 

[browellm]

All arm-waving aside, you've got a bigger battery. For every variable such as weather, wheel design and cargo, you've got a bigger battery and more range.

 

[NewbieT]

All arm-waving aside, you've got a bigger battery. For every variable such as weather, wheel design and cargo, you've got a bigger battery and more range.

Only if they software unlock the capacity! It certainly wouldn’t be bad thing to have spare capacity for degradation.

 

[SpareHeadOne]

Only if they software unlock the capacity! It certainly wouldn’t be bad thing to have spare capacity for degradation.

They're quoting longer ranges for the updated cars, so the range is unlocked. In ideal conditions it's maybe 15 miles extra range on the LR, in reality it's probably more like 10, but as usual driving style and conditions play the biggest part in governing those things.

 

[apehest]

They're quoting longer ranges for the updated cars, so the range is unlocked. In ideal conditions it's maybe 15 miles extra range on the LR, in reality it's probably more like 10, but as usual driving style and conditions play the biggest part in governing those things.

Add to that the heat pump. Likely reduces power draw of the heater by up to two thirds.

 

[Watts_Up]

The latest M3LR is said to have an 82 kWh battery.
Is there any information displayed on the Touchscreen that shows that an 82 kWh battery is installed.

I would recommend using the ScanMyTesla App to display all the battery information available on the OBD2 Bus can.

 

[hctip]

Did I read somewhere that the 82 is not here until the New Year. ??

h

 

[GeorgeSymonds]

The extra range under WLTP is less than a near 10% increase in battery increase would suggest. Factor in new wheel design, possibly different tyres, heat pump (although I don't believe this makes any difference to the WLTP tests) and other tweaks and you might get the ~4% increase in range they've quoted. Maybe they're released a tiny bit of extra too, or maybe they're starting to do what others do and keep the extra as reserve in their back pocket to protect the battery when 100% charging and give them the option to release a little if degradation happens.

As for when - it maybe linked to the 2021 model year, there was a car in Germany with the import papers saying it was an 82kwh battery so either there was a mistake on the paperwork or they are starting to ship.