How Many Batteries Are There In Each Tesla Model

Which car comes to mind when thinking about EVs? Simple! Tesla. If you ask people to mention any electric vehicle they know, Tesla will stand out any day. Though this speaks highly of Tesla’s dominance in the market, it doesn’t necessarily mean that people know much about these cars.

You may be surprised that many people don’t know the Tesla models currently on the market. Unsurprisingly, many customers, including Tesla users, aren’t familiar with the Tesla batteries. Have you also wondered why each Tesla has a different driving range?

If so, this article is for you! However, before getting to the car’s batteries, we have to educate you on some nerdy battery terms used in the EV world. For example, a cell is usually one battery, but they form a module when packed. A group of modules forms the battery pack that we all know. 

This article reviews the number of batteries in Tesla Models S, 3, X, Y, and the Roadster. Let’s get to it!

Tesla Model S

What makes the Tesla Model S such a long-range car? Well, it all comes down to its battery; it has an 85kWh battery. Previous Model S versions were fitted with either 70 or 85kWh batteries, influencing their range, horsepower, and top speed.

The Tesla Model S’s battery pack has 16 modules and uses the 18650-battery type. This battery type is common in many Tesla models, but the number of cells and modules differs.

There are at least 7,104 batteries in the Model S. In simpler terms, if you are thinking of powering this EV, you’ll need over 7,000 batteries. So, if we do the math, each module in the Model S has roughly 444 battery cells.

But, how are they arranged? Some batteries in the pack are wired in parallel, while others are in series. Those wired in series increase the Model S’s voltage, while those in parallel boost the car’s power duration.

Ultimately, the Model S’s battery gives it a driving range of up to 405 miles. You can also expect to charge the Model S from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes using a fast charger.

Tesla Model S Plaid

The Model S Plaid has one of the highest battery packs. With a 100kWh battery, you can already tell that Tesla built this car for range; it offers up to 396 miles on a full charge. However, don’t assume that the vehicle’s high driving range compensates for its lack of speed because the Model S is pretty quick.

Based on our above description, you already know that an EV with such a high battery pack must have an astonishing number of cells. There are approximately 7,920 batteries in Tesla Model S Plaid. The batteries are arranged in 5 modules.

The Model S Plaid is an upgrade of the Model S. Tesla intentionally reduced the vehicle’s modules to produce a light battery. There were also various safety concerns with the Model S, which prompted them to minimize the modules.

But, how are the batteries arranged? As expected, the Model S Plaid has a similar battery arrangement to its predecessor. When you cut open the battery pack, you’ll notice some batteries arranged in series and others in parallel.

Another similarity between both cars is their 18650 cells, connected using the wire bonding technique. It means that the batteries are connected to the battery pack using a wire, which acts as a fuse.

Lastly, we must mention the charging. The Model S Plaid takes at least 15 minutes to recharge 200 miles, which is incredibly fast for a battery of its capacity. However, you may need to charge your EV overnight when using an AC charger at home.

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 was one of the most anticipated EVs. Rumors had it that Tesla would release a work of art, and they didn’t disappoint. There is a reason why the Model 3 is the best-selling EV on the market.

So, how did Tesla manage to manufacture such a cost-effective car? Well, besides reducing their production cost, they tinkered with the car’s batteries to make it more affordable. Tesla realized it could make a lighter battery by reducing the number of modules. To state the obvious, the production cost of a lightweight battery is lower than that of a heavy one.

As such, Tesla designed a car with a battery pack comprising 4 modules. At the time, this was incredibly low and was considered an engineering marvel, considering the battery had 2,976 cells. Altogether, you get a battery pack with 75kWh of power inside.

Tesla has since partnered with Panasonic to develop even more compact batteries. There are at least 2,170 batteries in Tesla Model 3 EVs, resulting in an 82kWh battery capacity. It may seem bold for Tesla to modify the Model 3’s battery setup regularly, but it is a game changer.

For a start, the 2,170 cells provided more power than previous battery setups, which allowed Tesla to use fewer modules. Additionally, let’s not forget that more energy means more mileage, so the car is winning on all fronts.

To give people options, Tesla released the standard and long-range vehicle models. Long-range means the car’s battery has more cells. For instance, if you choose the 75kWh car over the 54kWh, you will go home with a vehicle that packs more battery cells, giving it more range.

Tesla reported the Model 3 to have a range of 358 miles. The battery also supports fast charging, allowing you to recharge up to 175 miles in 15 minutes. However, this may vary slightly depending on the charger you use.

Tesla Model X

The Tesla Model X is an excellent example of an almost-perfect SUV. From the falcon-wing doors to the panoramic windshield, and the high acceleration to the pre-installed smart features, this car has everything you would ever want from a vehicle.

However, are you familiar with its battery setup? Luckily, the Model X is part of the Model S’s family tree and borrows some of their battery specifications.

Of course, there are compelling differences separating the two. For example, there are at least 8,256 batteries in Tesla Model X EVs, with the cells arranged into 5 modules. Incredibly, this is the Tesla with the most batteries.

As mentioned earlier, there are some similarities with the Model S. For example, the Model X uses 18650 lithium-ion battery cells. By now, you know this means that the car’s battery pack comprises batteries arranged in parallel and series.

Additionally, the Model X’s battery setup explains its high driving range. You can drive this car for 348 miles on a single charge thanks to its long-range battery pack, which has 100kWh of power inside.

Tesla Model Y

Many people assume that the Tesla Model X’s design is the inspiration behind the Model Y; it is not true. In fact, the Model Y’s battery specs are closer related to its cousin, the Model 3, than the Model X.

The Tesla Model Y battery packs 4,680 cells, divided among its 4 modules. It means there are roughly 1,170 batteries in each module, which explains the Model Y’s lightweight battery pack. As for the power inside, the battery produces 75kWh, which is fascinating for its driving range.

At this point, you already know that Tesla mainly uses 18650 or 2170 cells, so it’s unsurprising that the Model Y uses the 2170 lithium-ion cells.

In case you are wondering why the Model Y has such a long driving range, the answer lies in the type of cells used in the car. The 2170 long-range batteries in the Model Y give it more power, resulting in an extra driving range. It explains why this EV has a 75kWh battery and can go for 330 miles on a single charge.

Tesla Roadster

The second generation Tesla Roadster is yet to be released onto the market. However, it’s already creating a buzz among car enthusiasts. Based on other Tesla models and the company’s astronomical standards, our expectations are high. 

The new model is also expected to be an upgrade of the first-generation Tesla Roadster, whose production ceased in 2012. The EV had a 53kWh lithium-ion battery, providing approximately 244 miles of range on a full charge.

Surprisingly, Tesla is taking their old approach with the second-generation Roadster. Like the Model S and X, the Roadster will use 18650 lithium-ion battery cells. It’s the same battery type as the one fitted in the first-generation Tesla Roadster.

The new-generation Roadster will have 11 modules containing at least 6,800 battery cells. That’s a lot of power for a vehicle of its size. The Tesla Roadster will have a 200kWh battery, which supports Tesla’s argument that you can drive the car for 620 miles on a single charge.

The large battery size means the car will take longer to charge than other Tesla Models. It is estimated that a Tesla Supercharger will take around 45 minutes to charge the EV from 10% to 80%. The battery capacity and charging time would make the Roadster the perfect EV for long-distance trips, with its only undoing being its limited luggage space.

Wrapping Up

Though there are some similarities between some models’ battery setups, the common denominator is that each EV has a different number of batteries and cells. It explains why each model has a different driving range.

The battery type also influences a car’s range. For example, the 2170-type Tesla batteries offer more power density than the 18650-type batteries, giving some models extra range per charge. Ultimately, Tesla models have some of the best lithium-ion batteries among all the EVs currently on the market.