• 2 min read
CATL LFP packs outlast every Tesla battery tested
A Swedish analysis of 9,954 EV battery tests found Tesla Model 3 units with CATL LFP packs retained the most capacity after 100,000 km.
Image: iXBT
A Tesla Model 3 with a CATL lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery held up better than every other Tesla battery variant in a new analysis of real-world EV battery checks.
The data comes from Swedish used-EV seller Carla, which reviewed 9,954 battery tests carried out with the AVILOO diagnostic system between 2022 and 2026. Among cars that had driven more than 100,000 km, the Model 3 with a CATL pack showed an average battery health of 93.3% remaining capacity.
By comparison, the LG Chem version came in at 91.5%, while Panasonic-equipped versions posted 89.8% and 88.2%, depending on the variant.
That puts the gap between the best and worst versions of the same model at five percentage points. According to the report, that result is notable because the more expensive nickel-based batteries typically offer higher energy density, yet the LFP pack did a better job preserving its original capacity over long-term use.
The specialists cited in the source attribute that to the stronger thermal stability of lithium iron phosphate chemistry. These batteries also tolerate regular charging to 100% more easily, while Tesla generally recommends charging its nickel-based packs to only 80–90% for everyday use.
Recommended reading
Umo 5 hits 1,000 units as deliveries start in September
The findings suggest Tesla’s shift to LFP batteries in base versions of the Model 3 and Model Y did more than cut costs and reduce reliance on nickel — it also gave owners a longer-lasting battery.
Frontier Editor
Dan is our resident futurist, covering electric mobility, space exploration, and the smart home. He's interested in atoms just as much as bits. Whether it's a new battery chemistry, a reusable rocket, or a protocol that finally makes IoT devices talk to each other, Dan breaks down the engineering that pushes humanity forward.
via iXBT
