The information a few BYD-powered Tesla Mannequin Y produced on the Tesla Giga Berlin-Brandenburg plant in Grünheide in Germany returns like a boomerang.

In keeping with the German publication Teslamag (by way of Electrive), Tesla has simply began manufacturing of a brand new base model of the Mannequin Y (RWD) on the plant in Europe (on prime of the Lengthy Vary AWD and Efficiency variations).

An important a part of the report, based mostly on unofficial “dependable sources,” is that this new rear-wheel drive model is supplied with batteries provided by BYD. Rumors about BYD-powered Teslas in Germany had been beforehand reported in August 2022 (right here and right here). Most not too long ago, Elon Musk tweeted that “Relations between Tesla and BYD are optimistic,” with out elaborating on the subject of the relations/joint venture.

The article says additionally that the battery is a structural sort (the battery cells not solely retailer vitality but additionally carry a bodily load). Moreover, the brand new automobile is supplied with entrance and rear mega castings.

Nothing extra is understood, however it’s believed that the brand new BYD battery is the Blade Battery (LFP chemistry), in a cell-to-pack/cell-to-chassis system (produced in China and imported to Europe), similar to within the BYD Seal mannequin.

Rumored Tesla Mannequin Y RWD in Europe:

• rear-wheel drive (RWD)
• BYD Blade battery (LFP chemistry)
• structural battery
• entrance and rear mega castings

The capability of the battery stays unknown, however as we all know from the earlier report (August 2022), there was a kind approval from the European Union signed “Sort 005” (internally often called the “Y7CR” variant), which had a 55-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery for 273 miles (440 km) within the mixed take a look at cycle (WLTP we assume).

For reference, the presently obtainable in Europe Mannequin Y RWD imported from China, is supplied with prismatic LFP batteries from CATL (in all probability round 60 kWh) and provides as much as 283 miles (455 km) of vary (WLTP).

The opposite two variations, produced in Germany (LR AWD and Efficiency), are geared up with 2170-type cylindrical battery cells (so far as we all know, some type of NCM household from LG Power Answer, imported from China).

The rumor a few BYD-powered Tesla Mannequin Y in Europe is attention-grabbing, however we’ve to attend for affirmation. If the rumor is true, then it signifies that the CATL-powered Mannequin Y in all probability is not going to be imported to Europe anymore. The query is whether or not the brand new model might be extra aggressive/inexpensive.