In recent years, electromobility has changed in many ways. While progress in the technology of cars with combustion engines is very slow, the leaps in electromobility are enormous from year to year. Battery cell technologies in particular are improving from year to year and are therefore an exciting topic. Over the years, this has given rise to various types of batteries, which we will examine in more detail in this article and give you an overview. You will also learn how to find out which battery is installed in your Tesla or electric car from another brand.

The battery of an electric car, including the Tesla battery , consists of thousands of small individual battery cells. The battery describes the individual particle, the mass of which makes up the battery. The individual batteries in Tesla have a cylindrical shape. This is comparable to the AA batteries that we know from households - only a little larger.

Tesla uses three different types of batteries in its electric cars. These differ not only in size, but above all in cell chemistry. This brings with it various advantages and disadvantages, which we will explain below.

The NCA battery (nickel-cobalt-aluminum) is a battery technology that Tesla has been using in its electric vehicles since the first Tesla Roadster. In terms of its chemistry, it is a variant of the well-known lithium-ion batteries.

Internally at Tesla, these batteries are referred to as 1865, 2170 and 4680 batteries due to their dimensions (18/21/46mm diameter, 65/70/80mm height). Tesla purchases these from Panasonic and LG chem.

The composition of the NCA battery includes nickel, cobalt and aluminum. Nickel provides high energy density and enables efficient energy transfer, while cobalt improves the stability and lifespan of the battery. Aluminum is used in the cathode to strengthen structural integrity and increase conductivity.

Tesla first integrated NCA cells into the first Model S vehicles in 2012. Especially in the early days of electromobility, the selection of cells with high energy density was crucial. The efficiency of electric drives at that time was not yet at today's level, and in order to ensure sufficient range in everyday use and powerful acceleration, cells with high energy density were required. And NCA cells successfully met these requirements.

• Very high energy density of the battery and therefore higher range per KG

• Higher performance potential (therefore also seen in Plaid models)

• Good fast charging capabilities of the cell

• Lighter than LFP batteries

• 3,000 charging cycles realistic (750,000 km at 250 km per cycle)

• "Higher" fire risk of battery cells

• 80% nickel content (problematic raw material)

• Optimal charge between 20% and 80% should be maintained if possible

• More expensive than LFP battery

The NMC battery (nickel-manganese-cobalt) is very similar to the NCA batteries in terms of cell chemistry and other aspects. However, the energy density is lower than that of NCA batteries.

The NMC battery can be described as a further developed NCA battery. By using aluminum, the nickel content has been extremely reduced in favor of environmental compatibility. This composition enables a good balance between energy density, service life and cost.

A key advantage of NMC batteries is their high energy density, which means they can store a significant amount of energy, which is particularly important for electric vehicles. These batteries also offer improved lifespan compared to pure cobalt batteries. The mix of nickel, manganese and cobalt enables an optimal balance between cost, performance and energy density.

However, NMC batteries are temperature sensitive, which means their performance can be affected in extreme temperatures. Nevertheless, NMC batteries are popular due to their balanced properties and Tesla has been using them since 2021, especially in models with high battery capacity.

• Better environmental compatibility because less nickel

• Good fast charging capabilities of the battery cells

• High performance potential (therefore in performance models)

• Lighter and higher range per KG

• "Only" 2,000 charging cycles (500,000 km at 250 km per charge) of the battery cells

• More expensive than LFP battery

• Optimal charge between 20% and 80% should be maintained if possible

Tesla's LFP battery (lithium iron phosphate) has become increasingly important in recent years. In comparison to other types of batteries that contain nickel, manganese or cobalt, the LFP battery consists of lithium, iron and phosphate. This composition brings with it some specific properties that make it attractive for Tesla. In addition, LFP cells, unlike the previous two, are not cylindrical but prismatic and are therefore easier to arrange in the underbody.

A key advantage of the LFP battery is its improved stability and safety with temperature differences. It does not tend to overheat at high temperatures, which promotes battery longevity and minimizes the risk of thermal failure.

Another plus point is the lower environmental impact due to the absence of rare and expensive materials such as cobalt. This makes the LFP battery not only more cost-effective but also more environmentally friendly. Despite this, it has a slightly lower energy density compared to other battery types, which means that it is slightly heavier and can store less energy per unit of weight. Therefore, Tesla has only used this type of battery in models with a "smaller" battery since 2020.

Tesla sources the LFP battery from CATL. CATL is one of the largest energy storage manufacturers in the world and one of the largest suppliers to the automotive industry.

• Most cost-effective battery cells

• Good environmental compatibility

• Higher charge and discharge cycles of the cell

• Are not flammable if damaged or similar.

• Can be charged to 100% and discharged to 0% without any problems. -> No damage to the battery pack

• Service life: 10,000 charging cycles (2,500,000 km at 250 km per charge)

• Lower energy density and capacity than other battery cells -> less range per KG battery

• Higher weight and space requirements

• Poorer performance at very low temperatures (from -25°C)

The following list contains all Tesla cars that can currently be purchased from Tesla.

If you click on the link, you will get more detailed information about the respective vehicle and battery type.

You can find an overview of all Tesla models here.

• Tesla Model 3 2024 SR : LFP battery

• Tesla Model 3 2024 LR : NMC battery

• Tesla Model Y: LFP battery

• Tesla Model Y LR : NMC battery

• Tesla Model YP: NMC battery

• Tesla Model S: NCA battery

• Tesla Model S Plaid: NCA battery

• Tesla Model X: NCA batteries

• Tesla Model X Plaid: NCA battery

• Tesla Cybertruck: NCA battery

SR = Standard Range

LR = Long Range

P = Performance

The condition of the battery can be read with an OBDII dongle .

However, reading your Tesla's battery health with an OBDII dongle requires a few steps and the use of third-party software. Here is a general guide on how to read your Tesla battery:

1. Get an OBDII dongle: Buy an OBDII dongle that is compatible with your Tesla. Make sure it supports the required functions and protocols to access the vehicle data. There are different dongles available for different Tesla models.

2. Connect the OBDII dongle: Find the OBDII port in your Tesla. This port is usually located below the steering wheel in the driver's compartment or in the back of the center console. Then connect the dongle to the OBDII port.

3. Install a compatible app: Download an OBDII app on your smartphone or tablet. There are several third-party apps that are compatible with OBDII dongles.

4. Connect the app to the dongle: Start the app and connect it to your OBDII dongle. This is usually done via Bluetooth. Good apps for reading data are listed under this link.

5. Read the battery data: Once connected, you can access the battery information in the app. The data available may vary depending on the app and dongle, but usually includes information on battery life, current charge, and range.

The future of the battery in an electric car is difficult to predict. The technology is still in its infancy and will be extremely developed in the next few years.

In all likelihood, there will be different types of batteries, depending on how the electric car is used. There will probably be different cell formats available, which make more or less sense depending on the electric car. LFP batteries will probably prevail in the short term in cars with lower battery capacities, while NCA or NMC batteries are the short-term future for larger capacities.

Another exciting area is research into sodium batteries , which require far fewer rare earths due to the use of sodium and are cheaper, both in production and in sales. The data clearly shows that sodium batteries are less efficient than lithium ion batteries for their weight, but this is an interesting alternative, especially for electric cars that are driven in the city. Sodium is finite, but is found in almost inexhaustible quantities all over the world.

The Chinese electric car manufacturer Yiwei is selling the first vehicle with sodium chemistry in the cell in mass production in China.

Research into sodium batteries is still in its early stages, but looking to the future, this is an interesting new technology in chemistry that could gradually replace current battery cells.

It is extremely important that research is constantly carried out on the most critical point in electromobility - battery cells and their chemistry - in order to be able to produce electric cars in a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective way in the near future.

Tesla uses different types of batteries in its electric vehicles, each with different properties and advantages and disadvantages. In recent years, electric mobility has developed rapidly, and battery technology plays a central role in this.

1. NCA Chemie (Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum)

2. NMC Chemie(Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt)

3. LFP Chemie (lithium iron phosphate)

The choice of battery type depends on various factors, including battery size, performance and environmental impact. Research is also working on future battery technologies, including sodium chemistry, that could potentially play a role in electromobility.

Battery technology is constantly evolving, and in the future, different types of batteries are likely to be used depending on their intended use and environmental impact. Research in this area is crucial to developing more environmentally friendly and cost-effective electric vehicles.

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