The recent announcement of the two Model Y Juniper versions has left some Tesla fans feeling let down regarding the battery sizes.
Battery Expectations
Before the reveal, there were whispers that the Model Y Juniper would feature a more spacious 95 kWh battery on the high-performance model and a new 66 kWh manganese phosphate M3P battery from CATL for the entry-level RWD variant. However, a report discussing the lukewarm response from Xiaomi’s CEO to the Juniper news showed that the anticipated battery capacity for the 2025 Model Y has remained mostly unchanged.
Current Specifications
The 2025 Model Y Juniper AWD Long Range is said to utilize a battery pack with a usable capacity of 78.4 kWh, which translates to around 80 kWh in total battery size. This is the same capacity as the existing Long Range and Performance models available in the US. On the other hand, the base RWD Model Y Juniper will not be available in the US market due to its Chinese LFP cells from CATL, yet it features a 62.5 kWh usable capacity, slightly above the earlier 60 kWh pack of the Standard Range Model Y that was previously sold in the US.
Range Insights
This situation accounts for the 2025 AWD Model Y offering just about a 3% increase in range compared to its predecessor, while the RWD model, which has a marginally larger battery, boasts a 7% improvement in range. Nonetheless, it appears that both RWD and AWD Model Y Juniper trims gain their range benefits more from design improvements and powertrain efficiency rather than just larger battery sizes.
Tesla mentions that they’ve completely overhauled the exterior design, from the front bumper to the taillights, to maximize efficiency and extend the range from every charge. The Model Y Juniper is designed to be lighter than its predecessor, with enhanced aerodynamics, and the company emphasizes that it has been “redesigned from front to back to improve range, performance and longevity.”
Future Expectations
In summary, the minimal range improvement of the 2025 Model Y Juniper compared to the earlier model can be attributed to slight enhancements in drivetrain efficiency and a lower drag coefficient of 0.22, down from the previous 0.23. Enthusiasts hoping for a bigger battery in the Model Y Juniper refresh may need to wait for the US version, which is expected to feature Tesla’s 4680 battery technology from the Cybertruck. This version may finally offer the rumored larger 95 kWh battery pack for the pricier AWD and Performance models.
However, any substantial upgrade in battery capacity will likely come with a price hike. There’s skepticism from CATL regarding Elon Musk’s ambitious plans for reducing manufacturing costs of the 4680 battery cells, with its CEO expressing doubts about achieving such significant cost cuts.
Tesla could potentially offset these costs with federal tax credits for its domestically produced batteries, which might allow the 2025 Model Y to launch in the US with an improved range, not just for bragging rights.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply