Beijing (ZXZC)- Tesla has ordered 45GWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from Chinese battery giant CATL for the production of next year, mainly for the Model 3 and the Model Y, local media outlet 36kr reported today, citing several sources who are familiar with the matter.

Photo credit: CATL

Based on the information of Tesla’s website, the standard range versions of both the Model 3 and the Model Y are powered by LFP batteries. Since the respective battery capacity of the said two models was 55kWh and 60kWh, the total 45GWh will be enough for making 800,000 vehicles, which is more than Tesla's sales of the first three quarters this year (627,572 units).

Besides, Tesla’s Nevada battery plant is also expected to expand production to over 40GWh. Plus the supplies from Panasonic and LG Chem, the local media outlet expects the global sales of the American electric vehicle company in 2022 will be around 1.5 million vehicles.

The sources also said that apart from the 45GWh order, Tesla is going to order more. “Both parties are in talks about that,” the people said. CATL declined to comment about the report. 

The first LFP-powered Tesla model was the standard range Model 3 made in its Shanghai factory and from the beginning of this year, the Shanghai-made standard range Model Y also switched to the LFP. At the end of August, Tesla said customers in the United States will have the option of LFP-powered Model 3. When reporting its third-quarter financial results earlier this month, Tesla announced that for standard range vehicles, it is shifting to LFP battery chemistry globally.