How Many Battery Cells are in a Tesla? Models Compared

Tesla is constantly striving to get the best possible result out of every battery cell. The tech is continously advancing and Tesla is pouring billions into R&D to always be at the forefront of the best possible battery technology on the market. EV batteries come in various shapes and sizes, and they often change, depending on the tech and needs. So how many batteries are packed in a Tesla?

The number of batteries in a Tesla depends on the type of battery that the specific Tesla model uses. These batteries come in different sizes and number of Li-ion cells that makes up the battery. The Tesla Model 3 and Y have about 2976-4416 cells while the Model S and X have about 7104 individual cells.

If you’d like to know the exact battery details of all the different Tesla Models, check out the info in this article. I’ve compared Tesla’s old battery tech with their current and upcoming battery tech. The number of cells in Tesla’s cars is constantly changing, so how good are they going to get?

How Many Battery Cells are in the Tesla Model 3?

The Tesla Model 3 Long Range uses a 2170 type battery. It comes with anything from 2 976 to 4 416 cells depending on the model. The complete battery pack consists of four longitudinal modules creating a rectangular form. These batteries exert a weight of 1 060lbs on the vehicle with a consumption of 340Wh/mile.

The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range has the same physical characteristics only with fewer battery cells and weights. Check out the table below.

The Tesla Model 3 has never been equipped with the 18650 batteries but comparing the individual battery sizes with the older 18650s, this one is bigger, both in diameter and length. It measures 70mm in length and 21mm in diameter. Hence the type: 2170.

I’ve created this table below to compare the number of batteries and (future 4680) battery types with the current Tesla Model 3 variants.

Tesla ModelNumber of 2170 Battery CellsNumber of 4680 Battery CellsWeight of 2170 Pack*Estimated Weight of 4680 Pack
Standard Range Model 32 976 @96×31 (Modules)960 @1×1 (1 Complete Module)~714 Pounds (324kg)~317 Pounds (144kg)
Long Range Model 34416 @96×46 (Modules)960 @1×1 (1 Complete Module)~1 060 Pounds (481kg)~317 Pounds (144kg)
*The weight of the 4680 has not officially been released and will be updated here as soon as it is confirmed by reliable sources. This weight is an estimation based on my research.

How Many Batteries Cells are in the Tesla Model Y?

The 2021 Model Y uses the same sized 2170 battery cell as the Model 3 and comes with ~4 416 Li-ion cells with the Long Range and ~2 976 battery cells with the Standard Range. The 2022 Model Y, produced in Texas and Germany, uses the 4680 battery and consists of ~816 batteries with 4 modules of 34×6.

The Tesla Model Y and Model 3 share the exact same platform therefore I’m assuming that the amount of 4680 batteries used for both cars will be the same. Once we get official confirmation from Tesla, I will update this info accordingly.

How-Many-4680-Batteries-Cells-are-in-the-Tesla-Model-Y-Infographic

Advantages of 2170 battery

  • 20% increased battery density compared to 18650 batteries.
  • 9% price reduction compared to 18650 types (although the prices of batteries are constantly falling).
  • Reduced weight hence can go more miles.
  • Charges faster and for a charge of 20 minutes, it can do up to 370 miles.

Disadvantages of 2170 battery

  • Reduced applications unlike 18650 that is also used in other power tools.
  • Shorter battery life compared to 18650 batteries.

I wrote a related battery article where I explained all the Tesla Battery Temperature Ranges. You’ll know exactly how extreme temperatures affect your Tesla. Check it out!

Tesla-Battery-Temperature-Range-Explained

How Many Battery Cells Are in the Tesla Model X?

As with everything Tesla, they (in partnership with Panasonic) have improved the 18650 a lot since the Model X was launched in 2015. The battery has become lighter and more efficient.

Tesla used to have various battery pack sizes up until 2018, when they decided to keep it simple and only offer 2 models in the Standard Range and Long Range Plus. As far as I know both the current models use the same amount of batteries and one is capped via software, depending on the specific configuration.

Tela Model# OF BATTERY CELLS# OF MODULESBATTERY TYPE
Standard Range8 2561618650
Long Range Plus8 2561618650
2018 75D5 3761418650
2017 P100D8 2561618650
2017 90D7 1041618650
2017 75D5 3761418650
2017 100D8 2561618650
2016 P100D8 2561618650
2016 90D7 1041618650
2016 P90D7 1041618650
2016 75D5 3761418650
2016 70D5 3761418650
2016 60D5 3761418650
Here is a table showing the number of battery cells, number of modules, weights of the battery packs, and battery types in Tesla Model X’s from 2015 up to now.
Tesla Model S Body and Battery Pack
This is a picture of the Tesla Model S structural battery pack cover and underbody. The cool image that I found from “Martin Gillet Tesla Model S – Body” by Martin Gillet is licensed under CC BY 2.0

How Many Battery Cells Are in the Tesla Model S?

As with all Tesla models, the Tesla Model S has various amounts of battery cells in their batteries. It depends on the completed battery unit size. The smallest Tesla Model S battery uses 5 880 battery cells and the biggest 8 256. The newest model will eventually have fewer batteries using the 4680 battery.

Check out the following table to see the exact battery amounts of every Tesla Model S ever produced:

Tesla Model# OF BATTERY CELLS# OF MODULESBATTERY TYPE
2022 Plaid Tri-Motor AWDIt will be updated soon14680
2021 Performance8 2561618650
2021 Performance Long Range Plus8 2561618650
2020 Performance8 2561618650
2019 Performance8 2561618650
2019 Standard Range8 2561618650
2019 Long Range8 2561618650
2018 P100D8 2561618650
2018 100D8 2561618650
2018 75D5 8801418650
2017 100D8 2561618650
2017 P100D8 2561618650
2017 90D7 1041618650
2017 75D5 8801418650
2017 75RWD5 8801418650
2017 60D5 8801418650
2017 60RWD GEN 25 8801418650
2016 P100D8 2561618650
2016 75D5 8801418650
2016 75RWD5 8801418650
2016 60D5 8801418650
2016 60RWD GEN 25 8801418650
2016 P90DL LUDICROUS7 1041618650
2016 P90D7 1041618650
2016 90D7 1041618650
2016 70D5 8801418650
2016 70 RWD5 8801418650
2015 P90DL LUDICROUS7 1041618650
2015 P90D7 1041618650
2015 90D7 1041618650
2015 90 RWD7 1041618650
2015 P85DL LUDICROUS7 1041618650
2015 70 RWD5 8801418650
2015 85 RWD7 1041618650
2015 60 RWD5 0401418650
2014 P85+7 1041618650
2014 P85 RWD7 1041618650
2014 85 RWD7 1041618650
2014 60 RWD5 0401418650
2013 PERFORMANCE PLUS P85+7 1041618650
2013 SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE P857 1041618650
2013 P85 RWD7 1041618650
2013 SIGNATURE 85 RWD7 1041618650
2013 BASE 85 RWD7 1041618650
2013 BASE 60 RWD5 0401418650
2013 BASE 40 RWD5 0401418650
2012 SIGNATURE 85 RWD7 1041618650
Here is a table showing the number of battery cells, number of modules, weights of the battery packs, and battery types in Tesla Model S’s from 2012 up to now.

Advantages of 18650 batteries

  • Wide applications.
  • Resistant to degradation and hence long cycle life.
  • Large capacity and high performance.
  • Safe and does not explode or cause pollution.
  • Small internal resistance compared to ordinary liquid cells.
  • Has many spaces between the many cells for better cooling.

Disadvantages of 18650 batteries

  • The design is prone to short-circuiting and may fail when that happens.

How Many Battery Cells Are in the Original Tesla Roadster?

Tesla Model# OF BATTERY CELLS# OF MODULESBATTERY TYPE
2010 Roadster 2.56 8311118650
2009 Roadster 2.06 8311118650
2009 Roadster 2.06 8311118650
2008 Roadster 1.56 8311118650
Table showing how many battery cells are in all the original Tesla Roadster versions.

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Erwin Meyer
Erwin Meyer

A renowned Tesla enthusiast, and successful entrepreneur, enlightens global audiences through his compelling EV narratives. Discover more about his electric journey on his About Me page. Venture to read Erwin's incredible story that's reshaping the future of motoring. Want to spark a conversation with Erwin? Visit his Contact page, and let’s electrify the world together.