Tesla: The 84 kWh Battery, Planned Obsolescence?

Tesla has introduced on its Model YYY and Model Y Performance an 84 kWh battery that will be extended to the Long Range variant. Should we wait?

Tesla never communicates about the actual technical data of its cars, in order to have the freedom to evolve its vehicles. Staying silent about developments and specifications is useful to avoid quickly devaluing its cars, whether they are already in circulation or in stock.

The problem is that nothing remains secret in 2025, and the homologation files easily leak. In China, the MIIT (Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) has revealed the data of the new battery supplied by LG Energy Solution and that equips the Tesla Model YYY (stretched version with 6 seats) and Model Y Performance (presented on August 29, 2025, in Europe).

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Electric Car

07/10/2025 23:01

With the Standard Model Y, Tesla does not fix any of its problems

A deep dive into a Tesla battery

Until now, the Tesla Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range All-Wheel Drive use a battery pack of about 75 kWh, while the new generation of battery is increased to 82 kWh net (84.7 kWh gross).

The dimensions of the pack are the same, which allows easy integration into the chassis of the Model Y. The energy density increases from about 160 Wh/kg to 176 Wh/kg, with a total mass reduction of 15 kg, settling at 465 kg.

But the other major argument is a significant increase in range, the Model YYY having the same range as a Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive despite being 96 kg heavier due to its size and equipment.

A more efficient battery

Tesla didn’t just add kWh to its battery; the American manufacturer also focused on improving its functionality and efficiency. It had to react in China against fierce local competition anyway. This new 84.7 kWh battery places the Model Y above electric SUVs better equipped in terms of gross battery capacity, such as the Xiaomi YU7 with its 96 kWh. However, to achieve this, it will be necessary to extend this battery across the rest of the lineup and not reserve it for the highest trims.

It’s now Tesla’s task to solve the price equation. Increasing capacity means more active material, including nickel, which is an expensive metal. In absolute terms, the battery costs slightly more to manufacture than a 75 kWh pack, by about 500 euros according to experts.

Should you wait before buying?

For a customer, the question is crucial. Besides the range, this newer technology should ensure a better residual value upon resale of their Tesla Model Y, as this version will quickly become the reference in the used car market.

However, its launch will first take place in China in the fall of 2025, and its arrival in Europe is not expected until 2026, which forces buyers to delay their plans by a year or more if they wish to benefit from it.

The best indicator of the imminent arrival of this new battery is known: Tesla will apply huge discounts on its cars in stock. A bit like it currently does with its Model 3… a sibling to the Model Y, which is seeing decreased interest among customers and could also quickly benefit from this new battery.