China-made Model 3 with cheaper battery now on regulator's recommended models list
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a new directory of recommended models for the promotion and application of new energy vehicles, showing that Tesla's China-made Model 3 standard range version with lithium iron phosphate battery is included.
The energy density of lithium iron phosphate batteries is lower than lithium ternary batteries, but cheaper. So analysts said the price of lithium iron phosphate version of the Tesla Model 3 is expected to be further reduced.
In fact, the lithium iron phosphate version of the Tesla Model 3 had already appeared in the 333rd batch of "Road Motor Vehicle Production Enterprises and Products Bulletin" on May 22, 2020, which showed an curb weight of 1,745 kg.
The base version of the Model 3 Standard Range Upgrade, which is currently equipped with LG Chem's NCM811 battery, has a curb weight of 1,614 kg.
According to previous information from Tesla's partnership with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), China's largest automotive lithium-ion battery maker, CATL's delivery period is from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022.
Delivery of the lithium-iron phosphate version of the Model 3 is expected to take place around mid-July to August, a delivery date that will also likely overlap with the launch date of the model in this filing.