
batteries are produced at the Gigafactory in Nevada, USA, and the batteries used in Tesla vehicles are all 18650 lithium batteries. Tesla's vehicle models include: Model S, Model X, Model Y, Model 3, Roadster, etc. Taking the 2021 Model X as an example, it belongs to the mid-to-large-size SUV category, with body dimensions of: length 5037mm, width 2070mm, height 1684mm, wheelbase 2965mm, and curb weight 2352kg. The 2021 Model X features a front suspension of double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear suspension of multi-link independent suspension. It is equipped with a front permanent magnet synchronous motor and a rear AC asynchronous motor, with a total motor power of 493kW, paired with a 1-speed fixed gear ratio transmission.

I remember mentioned the battery origins during last year's product launch. Tesla's battery sources are quite diversified, with different models using batteries from different production locations. For example, the Standard Range versions use lithium iron phosphate batteries from China's CATL, while the Long Range versions may use ternary lithium batteries from South Korea's LG or Japan's Panasonic. The Model 3 produced at Shanghai Gigafactory mainly uses CATL batteries, while the US factory primarily utilizes batteries from the Nevada Gigafactory in collaboration with Panasonic. The 4680 battery is Tesla's own development, currently in trial production at Texas factory. The salesperson told me when choosing a car that batteries from different origins may show slight differences in winter range performance, though the daily usage difference is minimal.

Last week when I accompanied my friend to pick up his Model Y, I specifically asked the salesperson about the origin. Currently, Tesla uses batteries from several suppliers depending on the region and model. Vehicles from the Shanghai factory are mainly equipped with CATL batteries, while the US and European factories use Panasonic and LG products. What surprised me most is that Tesla has started producing its own 4680 batteries, though the current volume is still small. My friend's long-range version showed a Korean-made battery in the system when the salesperson checked. I heard that 4680 batteries have higher energy density and better fast-charging performance, but they're only installed in new models. If battery performance is important to you, it's better to ask about the specific battery supplier for the model in advance.

As a long-time owner, I've researched battery origins. My three years with the Model 3 taught me that batteries indeed come from different sources depending on the production year. Early imported versions mostly used Panasonic batteries from Japan, while current domestic models primarily source from CATL. During last week's maintenance, the technician mentioned North American models still use Panasonic's nickel-cobalt-aluminum batteries, which perform better in cold weather. Personally, I find domestic batteries offer better value for daily commuting needs. When choosing a car, don't overthink the origin – what matters most is whether it matches your daily usage scenarios.

Chatting with engineers revealed that their battery supply chain is highly globalized. The batteries for the Shanghai Gigafactory mostly come from CATL's Nanjing plant, and some vehicles exported to the Asia-Pacific region also use these. The Berlin Gigafactory in Europe primarily uses batteries from LG Chem's Polish plant, while the Texas factory in the U.S. is producing its own new 4680 batteries. Engineer friends mentioned that this multi-source supply strategy helps mitigate risks, and batteries from different locations all meet the same unified standards. The vehicle's nameplate will indicate the battery type at purchase, but the specific origin can be verified by requesting a test report from the sales team.

After spending a lot of time in new energy vehicle forums, I've noticed that Tesla's origins are indeed a hot topic. Currently, there are three mainstream suppliers: China's CATL supplies lithium iron phosphate batteries, while Japanese and Korean companies provide ternary lithium batteries. It's worth mentioning that Tesla's self-built battery factories in Nevada and Texas, USA, are mass-producing the new 4680 batteries. Based on my experience driving a Model S, there are slight differences in fast-charging speed and range degradation among different batteries, but the official warranty starts at 8 years for all. When buying a car, it's best to test-drive vehicles of the same model from different batches to personally experience the subtle differences in battery performance.


