Tesla Model 3 to have lesser battery capacity than Model S and X; Choice of power source still unclear

The Tesla Model 3 won’t have the 100kWh battery pack like the Model S and Model X. Fans, hoping to get an epic range out of the Model 3, may be disappointed by the news. The information was tweeted by CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday. Musk also revealed that he had no plans to increase the 100kWh battery pack for the Model S and X.

The Model S 100D has an estimated range of 335 miles whereas the Model X 100D has an estimated range of 295 miles. When Model 3 was announced, it was revealed to have a range of at least 215 miles in base trim, writes The Verge. One can check out the tweets by Musk below. In future, a Tesla big rig and a pickup truck will have battery packs larger than 100kWh. Tesla Model 3’s main all-electric vehicle competitor, the Chevy Bolt, gets an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range from its 60kWh battery pack.

According to Engadget, it is still unclear which power source Tesla will choose for the Model 3. The Model 3's economical design has a smaller wheelbase. This is why it won’t fit the bigger power source. Tesla has started 2017 with a bang. It has unveiled the Powerpack-filled 20-megawatt energy storage station in Mira Loma, California. It is expected to help in Tesla Model 3 production, expected to start by the middle of the year. Battery chemistry is a major limiting factor in modern electric vehicles.

The good thing is that the Tesla Model 3, even with a smaller battery, will be able to squeeze out more miles than the Model S and X, mainly because of its compact dimensions and lighter curb weight. Total range is affected by a lot of factors apart from battery size, such as, aerodynamics and how the vehicle is drive, writes Slash Gear.

Tesla must send the Model 3 into production as soon as possible, as pre-orders keep piling up, and auto experts keep debating on whether the company will meet its production target. Most believe, like previous Tesla vehicles, Model 3 will also be delayed. There are reportedly 400,000+ pre-orders for Tesla Model 3 and the company recently shifted a chunk of the work to its Nevada gigafactory to ease pressure on the California facility. Stay tuned on IBT AU for more updates on the Tesla Model 3 and other upcoming Tesla vehicles.