Tesla could be ready to offer the Model S 70D with a larger 75kWh battery as an optional extra.
On Tesla’s SUV, the Model X, the smallest capacity battery available for it has 75kWh of capacity. That’s an additional 5kWh over the then-base battery for the Model S, which still stands at 70kWh.
That’s about to change for the Tesla sedan as a filing with the California Air Resource Board showed that the Model S will be receiving the 75kWh battery, but after a Tesla spokesperson told The Verge, perhaps not immediately as a baseline battery capacity.
Instead, should a prospective Model S 70D owner wish to have more range, they could choose to include higher capacity battery at a cost, which according to the spokesperson, could cost 3,000 US Dollars (or around $4,000 in Australia).
Tesla may indeed be planning a transition to the 75kWh battery once it depletes its reserve for the current lower capacity cells it has in their inventory, but judging by their move to first offer it as a optional extra, they might not be in much of a rush to throw that switch.
The precedent has been established. Previously, Tesla had similarly transitioned their Model S P85D to use the larger 90kWh battery after it debuted in the Model X, thus changing the variant name to P90D.
Currently the Model S 70D offers a range of 470km (NEDC), whereas the Model X 75D manages 417km. That disparity could be attributed to the Model X’s extra weight, slightly less aerodynamic body, and secondary front motor to provide all-wheel drive grip.
UPDATE: A Tesla spokesperson has confirmed that the information and Australian pricing for the 75kWh battery option for the Model S 70D will be added this week.
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