Tesla Model Y+: a new version of Tesla's SUV with maximum range is about to reach the Chinese market

According to what we have just learned, Tesla has applied for regulatory approval from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for a new version of the Model Y, an essential step before it can go on sale in this market. This new model has been developed with the aim of offering the highest possible level of range, in a market where electric models with a range extender, capable of covering more than 1,200 km without stopping thanks to a combustion engine, continue to gain ground.

The new Model Y+, the name chosen by the American manufacturer, will feature a single electric motor with 225 kW of power on the rear axle, paired with an NMC battery pack using cells supplied by LG Energy Solution. Although we do not yet know its exact range, it is estimated it could even exceed 800 km under the CLTC homologation cycle, placing it within the lineup as the version of the Model Y capable of going furthest on a single charge.

To put this in perspective, in the Chinese market Tesla claims 830 km of CLTC range for the Long Range version of the Model 3, so this new version of the Model Y comes fairly close, though it is slightly lower in range. This is, on the other hand, to be expected given that one is an SUV while the other is a saloon with a better aerodynamic coefficient.

Although the official price of the new Model Y+ in the Chinese market has not yet been announced, it is expected to be slightly lower than that of the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Long Range version.

Its market launch should be imminent

MIIT regulatory approval is the last step before a vehicle can be sold in China, but it is not a merely bureaucratic formality. Between 10 and 15 October, the public has the opportunity to submit comments on the proposal, which could influence its approval.

It is also worth noting that Tesla already sells the Model 3+ in China and, last summer, launched a long-wheelbase version of the Model Y in this market. In addition, some Chinese media claim that the American manufacturer is working on more affordable versions of both the Model Y and the Model 3. These new models are expected to go on sale in the second half of next year.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverTesla Model Y4 versions · from 39,990 €