Increased pricing for Model Y, Model S, and Model X confirmed; Tesla's stock dips; Updates on 4680 battery cell settlement negotiations
The Tesla Model Y Long Range variant has received a significant upgrade to its battery, thanks to a partnership with LG Energy Solution. The improved battery, featuring LG's 21700 cells with a higher capacity of 5300 mAh, has led to a larger total battery capacity for the Model Y, increasing from 81.65 kWh to approximately 84.85 kWh.
This upgrade has resulted in a substantial improvement in the vehicle's WLTP-rated range, boosting it from 551 km to 600 km. The new LG 5M battery cells have replaced the older 5L model and contribute to the enhanced range and energy density in the Model Y.
The upgraded battery began appearing in 2025 models, with specific references from July and August 2025. This improvement does not affect the performance metrics such as acceleration, which remains unchanged, indicating the focus was on range improvement rather than power increase.
In addition to the battery upgrade, Tesla has visually updated the Model Y, both inside and out. A new radar sensor for the interior has been installed, expected to improve airbag deployment accuracy and detect if someone has been left on the backseat with a software update in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Tesla's sales have seen a decline in certain markets. In France, sales have decreased by a similar magnitude, and across the 15 most important European markets, there was a drop of around 47% to 9,605 electric cars in total. However, the updated Tesla Model Y is now available for order in the West and China.
In other news, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has been posting more about politics on his social media platform X. There is speculation about a potential refresh or discontinuation of the Model S and Model X due to recent price increases and job listings for the Optimus robot.
Tesla has also been involved in a legal dispute with Matthews International, the owner of Saurer, over a key technology developed by Saurer for Tesla's batteries. The arbitration court has ruled that Matthews has the right to offer this technology to other companies, but Tesla later sued the partner for theft of trade secrets.
BYD, a Chinese competitor, has continued to increase its sales, with nearly half of them being pure electric vehicles. BYD plans to unveil "smart driving" features across its entire electric vehicle lineup, likely including features like Tesla's Autopilot and the FSD AI software.
Deliveries of the updated Model Y are expected to begin in March, and the new Model Y for China and Europe continues to use batteries with cells from LG Energy. The capacity per battery has increased by 6 percent for the Model Y under the refresh codename Juniper. LG is supplying new battery cells for the Model Y under the same codename.
Shares of Chinese competitor BYD had their best week since 2020, and Musk has taken on the unofficial role of chief of the DOGE commission for increased government efficiency. Musk has also been accused of acting inappropriately, if not criminally, after making accusations against a journalist reporting on racist remarks by one of his technicians.
In a positive development, Tesla has offered free charging at Superchargers for all versions of the Model S and Model X. The efficiency of the Model Y has been improved with smaller brake calipers that reduce wind resistance.
Despite these developments, there is speculation about potential price increases and job listings for the Optimus robot, which has fueled rumours about a possible refresh or discontinuation of the Model S and Model X. The widely anticipated refresh of the Model Y could have been delayed across Europe.
References:
- Tesla Model Y Long Range Battery Upgrade Details
- Tesla's $4.3 Billion Deal with LG Energy Solution
- Tesla's Battery Strategy and LG Energy Solution Partnership
- Performance Metrics of the Upgraded Tesla Model Y
- LG 5M Battery Cells for Tesla Model Y
- Arbitration Court Ruling on Saurer Technology
- Tesla's Sales Decline in Europe and France
- BYD's Increasing Sales and Smart Driving Features
- Potential Refresh or Discontinuation of Model S and Model X
- State Electric Vehicle Subsidies in France
- Tesla's Price Increase and Job Listings for Optimus Robot
- Musk's Role in DOGE Commission and Accusations Against a Journalist
- Deliveries of the Updated Model Y
- BYD's Shares Performance
- Musk's Accusations Against a Technician
- This upgrade to the Tesla Model Y's battery, resulting from a partnership with LG Energy Solution, marks a significant advancement in the automotive industry, as it falls under the realm of finance and technology.
- The improved efficiency of the Model Y's new battery, using LG's 21700 cells, has boosted its WLTP-rated range, demonstrating the impact of business collaborations within the transportation sector.
- The updated Model Y, featuring a new radar sensor, is also part of the business landscape as it undergoes visual updates, both inside and out, and prepares for its release in the stock-market-traded regions of West and China.
- Meanwhile, the finance world is keeping a close eye on Tesla's competitor, BYD, whose sales have been on the rise, particularly in pure electric vehicles, highlighting the growing significance of sustainability and innovation in technology and the transportation industry.
