A couple of days ago, we published an article about the newly announced Tesla Model 3 Performance, which comes packed with many impressive new features and an increase in power, boasting up to 510hp. However, it’s recently come to light that potential customers outside of the United States that the listed horsepower for their models is significantly lower, at 460hp.
Many have been curious about the reason for this discrepancy, and we now have an explanation. In the United States, all Model 3 Performance vehicles are produced at Tesla’s Fremont factory and are equipped with 82kWh battery packs made by Panasonic, while many of the international versions of the vehicle are assembled in Tesla’s Shanghai factory and feature 79kWh battery packs from LG. The different battery pack chemistries result in the international Model 3 Performance models having less power output than their US counterparts. This variation is likely driven by cost considerations, and also because using Panasonic-made battery packs is a requirement for the Model 3 Performance to qualify for the full $7,500 US tax credit.
While this situation benefits US customers by providing more power and a lower price, it’s unfortunate that international customers will not be able to experience the Model 3 Performance to its full potential. It remains to be seen whether this reduction in horsepower will have a noticeable impact in real-world conditions or on the track. However, once customers globally start receiving their vehicles, we should have a definitive answer to that question.
