Tesla's base Model 3 is expected to get a boost in range
Tesla
Rumors are circulating that Tesla is planning to rev up the base battery of its Model 3. Reports from China hint at an upgrade from a 60 kWh to a 66 kWh battery pack, promising a 10% boost to the EV's driving range. The speculated move is tied to Tesla's ambitious Project Highland, expected to introduce an array of improvements to the Model 3's design and performance.
Model 3's Battery Upgrade: More than Just a Power Boost
The upgraded battery is reportedly the result of a collaboration with CATL, utilizing their M3P lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs. While this technology promises greater energy storage, it also aligns with Tesla's ongoing commitment to production efficiencies and cost reduction.
In the Model 3's early stages, its base variant, the Rear-Wheel Drive, had a 55kWh battery, which Tesla later bumped up to 60kWh. This new upgrade would add another 6kWh, potentially giving drivers an extra 30 miles (50km) of driving range.
But the benefits of this battery upgrade don't stop at distance. The M3P battery packs are also cheaper, hinting at an upcoming reduction in the Model 3's production costs. This move could mean more competitively priced Tesla cars on the market, boosting their appeal to a wider demographic of eco-conscious drivers.
Impact on Tesla's Market Position
The battery upgrade comes at a critical time. Despite the Model 3's substantial sales numbers, Tesla faced a slight slump in sales in China last year. However, this upgrade, alongside other anticipated changes under Project Highland, could give the Model 3 the much-needed revitalization to rebound and continue to dominate the EV market.
Tesla's consistent pattern of upgrading batteries with every model redesign has been a key driver of its competitive advantage in the electric vehicle market. By introducing higher capacity batteries in Model 3, the company continues to push the boundaries of EV technology and solidify its market position.
The revamped Model 3, equipped with the new 66kWh battery, could set a new standard for range in electric vehicles. Although Tesla has not officially announced any of the changes associated with Project Highland, sightings of test vehicles and reports from insiders fuel anticipation for the Model 3's imminent overhaul. Enhanced drone restrictions at Giga Shanghai suggest that the company might be testing the vehicles on factory grounds.
If these rumors hold, the upgraded Model 3 will offer a greater driving range and reaffirm Tesla's position as the trendsetter in the EV market. All eyes will undoubtedly remain on Tesla as it continues to drive the future of electric vehicles.
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Tesla has just opened up their Early Access Program, which we found out about just a few days ago - to FSD owners and subscribers in the United States. This new Early Access Program will offer regular owners the ability to get early FSD updates before they get widely released.
Early Access
Tesla has begun to slowly roll out a pop-up (and button) in the Tesla app, offering users the ability to enroll in the FSD (Supervised) Early Access Program in the United States. This update is rolling out slowly, so don’t be surprised if you don’t have it yet.
For now, this program appears to be limited to the United States. Users in Canada and Mexico, even those with existing Early Access, have not yet received an invite to the program.
Once you join the Early Access Program, at the very bottom of your app, where your VIN and software version normally appear, you’ll see a new “Early Access” link. Tapping this will show your status as a member of the Early Access program and also offers you the opportunity to leave the program if so desired.
The bottom Early Access Button
Sawyer Merritt
How to Get In?
To be offered the program, you must own an AI4/Hardware 4 vehicle with FSD, either purchased or actively subscribed. Unfortunately, HW3 owners are not receiving this right now.
A pop-up will be displayed in your Tesla app once you get selected to join the program. If you dismiss the pop-up in a hurry, don’t worry. The ability to join Early Access stays as in the image below, and you can join the program at any time.
Ending your subscription while part of Early Access means your vehicle will be removed from the program.
The post pop-up opportunity.
Sawyer Merritt
Privacy
In exchange for receiving early builds of FSD, Tesla will increase the amount of data, video, and audio gathered from your vehicle, and the data will be VIN-associated, meaning less privacy and anonymity for users.
Any software updates or release notes you receive, both in-vehicle and in-app, will be watermarked with your vehicle's VIN. Tesla has been watermarking employee release notes since June of 2024 to reduce leaks, and this new Early Access program appears to follow a similar format, even though it is more widespread.
A watermarked release note.
@BrianX2023 on X
Cautions
Of course, earlier FSD builds are usually less stable and potentially less safe than wide release, so it’s important to remain more vigilant during FSD’s use. If anyone else uses the vehicle, make sure they’re also aware of the situation.
On the flip side, this is really exciting for many Tesla owners. Tesla’s Early Access program has normally been limited to employees and influencers, so it’s awesome to see regular owners getting an opportunity to get in on all the fun of testing out Tesla’s latest FSD functionality.
This new Early Access program could also mean that Tesla has a new level of confidence in future builds, where it’s now willing to make them available to more users. It could also have to do with Tesla’s FSD Unsupervised ambitions, where they may need more data than was already collected in order to successfully launch their Robotaxi this June.
Emissions Pooling is an incentive-based program supported by various governments—most notably the European Union—to help automakers meet strict carbon reduction goals under Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.
CAFE standards mandate that automakers reduce the average CO₂ emissions across their fleet of newly manufactured vehicles. The EU’s 2025 targets are particularly aggressive, and manufacturers risk hefty fines if a sufficient portion of their new vehicles aren’t low- or zero-emission.
Emission Pool
Emissions pooling is a regulatory mechanism that allows automakers to combine their fleet CO₂ emissions to collectively meet environmental targets. Companies with low or zero emissions—like Tesla—can partner with higher-emitting automakers to help reduce their combined average and avoid costly fines.
In practice, this means pool members purchase emissions credits from Tesla, which uses its all-electric lineup to generate surplus credits. These credits help other manufacturers offset their emissions, while Tesla earns a tidy profit.
Tesla has long capitalized on this model, regularly selling emissions credits to strengthen its financials. Now, its European Union emissions pool is expanding again—with Honda and Suzuki joining existing members like Stellantis, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, and Subaru.
Every automaker in Tesla’s emissions pool is effectively buying credits from a company with a 100% zero-emission fleet. In Q4 2024 alone, Tesla earned $692 million from regulatory and emissions credits, making up nearly 30% of its quarterly net income.
That’s a major chunk of profit driven by programs like emissions pooling—and with Honda now onboard, Tesla gains a significant new partner (and revenue stream) in the EU.
