TESLA

New battery built into the Model 3 frame is a long and expensive undertaking to replace

One of Tesla's most popular electric vehicles, the Model 3 sedan contains between three and four thousand 2170 cylindrical battery cells, and replacing even a few cells with related diagnostics is a long and expensive undertaking. However, after switching to a battery integrated into the body's power structure, the situation is compounded by the fact that half of the car has to be dismantled to replace it.

The Electrek resource shares similar revelations with reference to the new Model Y electric vehicle repair manuals now available to branded service employees. In parallel with the transition to using 4680-size battery cells, the company hopes to introduce a traction battery integrated into the underbody power frame. Perhaps from a performance point of view this layout option is more profitable, but when repairing a battery you will have to do at least 143 manipulations in a row just to remove it. Putting the battery back in place will require another 171 manipulations, and in the repair process, almost the entire lower body will be separated from the rest, along with the front seats.

This may complicate traction battery repair and increase its cost, but from a new electric vehicle production point of view, it will achieve weight savings of up to 10% and increase range by 14%. At the same time, the number of pieces needed will be reduced by 370 pieces. The Model Y crossovers with the new body structure will be produced at Tesla's newly opened facilities in Texas and Berlin, but the German site will temporarily use 2170 cells before switching to 4680 cells.

Image source: Tesla